Council commences engagement on Future Federation 2023-2024

Published on 17 March 2023

Federation Council has thanked residents for their engagement over the past week, as Councillors and Council staff hosted a series of pop up sessions in Corowa, Howlong, Mulwala and Urana as part of their Future Federation 2023-2024 launch.

Federation Council is asking the community to help shape Future Federation 2023-2024 by providing input into its combined Delivery Program / Operational Plan and Annual Budget.

Council’s combined Delivery Program and Operational Plan is an important document that sets out Council’s action plan for achieving the community priorities outlined in the Community Strategic Plan (CSP). It identifies the projects, programs and activities that Council will conduct to achieve the commitments of the Delivery Program. This is supported by the Annual Budget which outlines how Council will fund the delivery of services and projects to its community. It funds services like managing waste, maintaining infrastructure, community facilities and parks, operating libraries, events and services to people at all stages of life. This is ‘Future Federation 2023-2024’.

Federation Council Mayor, Cr Pat Bourke thanked residents for their conversations and feedback over the last week and said he is encouraging everyone who lives, works, studies or visits the Federation Council region to be a part of this ongoing engagement opportunity.

“Feedback from our community is a critical component in supporting the development of these plans,” he said.

“Future Federation 2023 – 2024 will outline the way in which we deliver services and projects to our community and we are very keen to hear from all people who use our services, or plan to in the future. We want to hear people’s ideas and priorities so we can use those suggestions to develop our plans that will not only meet the needs of our community within Council’s financial capability, but also strengthen it.”

Mayor Bourke said community feedback is valuable in creating change and helping shape Future Federation 2023-2024.

“Much of our upcoming budget is committed to funding services, programs and infrastructure projects that were identified through the development of the Community Strategic Plan, and Council’s Long Term Financial Plan with you, our community. Through the engagement that informed the development of these plans, you told us what's important to you. Now we want to know how you think we should prioritise our actions and associated budget over the coming year as we continue to deliver on those plans. If you missed out on one of our pop up sessions, you can still provide feedback and Council will also be providing further pop up sessions, town meetings and other engagement opportunities on this in the near future.”

Mayor Bourke said Council also remains committed to continuing to engage on its Special Rate Variation Application that is currently with IPART for determination. 

“Federation Council is one of thirteen councils across NSW that have applied to (IPART) for a special variation to increase income from rates above the rate peg,” he said.

The Special Rate Variation proposed for Federation Council is for four years from 2023/24 to 2026/27 at 19%, 17%, 14% and 10%, inclusive of any maximum rate peg amount set by IPART each year. Council’s Special Rate Variation Application will determine Council’s ability to commit additional funding to priorities as set out in our Long-Term Financial Plan, and it has been great to have further conversations with our community to ensure these priorities are consistent with what our community has told us previously. Future Federation 2023-2024 are the plans that underpin our commitment to the community and I look forward to continuing to engage with our community to identify priorities that will allow your Council to make important financial decisions, balance current and future needs, and ensure we are financially sustainable well into the future.”

Council is receiving feedback from the community as part of phase one of their community engagement plan until Monday, April 3. There will be further opportunities for engagement with the community on Future Federation 2023-2024 in May 2023.

Anyone who lives, works, studies or invests in Federation Council or visits our region and uses Council facilities or accesses our services, is invited to review the information provided, ask questions and provide feedback during this time.

Ways to provide feedback 

Find out further information.