Council reports on strong progress on first six months 2023/24

Council reports on strong progress on first six months 2023/24

Published on 06 March 2024

At its February meeting of Council, Federation Council’s General Manager Adrian Butler presented a status report outlining progress made against Council’s Operational Plan 2023/24, for the six month period from 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023.

General Manager Adrian Butler strongly encourages the community to read this report, as it outlines what Council does in many ways, and it also communicates many important and significant achievements made over the reporting period.  “Council is committed to regularly reporting back to the community on our service delivery, and especially progress towards the actions and commitments made for the 23/24 year” he said.

Significant achievements over this period include:

Water servicing strategies and network models completed for the growth townships of Mulwala, Howlong and Corowa. Further work required to complete the sewer servicing strategies and network modelling to submit to Council for endorsement. Significant water infrastructure upgrades for Howlong progressing - augmentation of the water main between the Howlong Water Filtration Plant and the trunk water main along Townsend Street is nearing completion. Tender specifications for the construction of a new reservoir for Howlong are under development. Options for improvements to the flood warning system for the villages of Boree Creek, Urana, Morundah and Rand is in progress, with draft recommendations to be presented to the Villages Floodplain Risk Management Committee in March 2024. A feasibility study to investigate a voluntary purchasing scheme and house raising  for flood affected houses in Boree Creek and a voluntary purchase and house raising and scheme for Boree Creek and Urana well advanced with report due to Council in March 2024. Kerbside waste collection contract awarded to Cleanaway at the August 2023 Ordinary Council meeting and scheduled to commence 1 July 2024. New MOU entered with Murray Regional Tourism and Destination Riverina Murray to support participation on a range of collaborative tourism initiatives. Upgrade of the Corowa Saleyards nearing completion- due to be finished March 2024 Delivered the first two events of the North of the Murray Event Series (in Corowa and Howlong). Hosted visit from twelve (12) delegates from Miki City, Council’s Sister City in Japan. Business case study on the financial sustainability of Federation Council and the advantages/disadvantages of amalgamation completed. Corowa Aquatic Centre service review completed with preferred operational model currently being implemented.

The report shows the actions that Council has completed, the ones that are in progress, and also the ones not been able to be commenced, (either deliberately or due to resourcing constraints).

Residents are strongly encouraged to view the six monthly progress report and be sure to provide your input in the upcoming engagement sessions across May 2024, as to the priorities you feel Council should focus on, that are important to you/your community, to help Council prepare the 24/25 and beyond plans.