Councillors endorse to progress work on Special Rate Variation project

Published on 06 December 2024

Federation Council has resolved to endorse the progress of work required for an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a 69.94% permanent Special Rate Variation (SRV) over two years commencing 1 July 2025. 

It is important to note that these increases effectively include the temporary 19% increase applied in 2023/24 and temporary 17% applied in 2024/25. 

The motion put to Council’s November Council meeting endorsed the updated 10 year Long Term Financial Plan to be placed on Council’s website and public exhibition seeking community feedback for a period of 28 days. Council also adopted the recommended changes to the Delivery Program 2022-2026, and for the updated Delivery Program 2022-2026 to be placed on Council’s website and public exhibition seeking community feedback for a period of 28 days. Council resolved to continue to explore opportunities for financial initiatives through cost containment strategies, productivity improvements and revenue opportunities.

Federation Council has been on a financial improvement journey since it was formed in May 2016 from the merger of Corowa Shire Council and Urana Shire Council.

There has been community engagement on a future Special Rate Variation since mid 2021. Feedback from IPART in June 2023 detailed improvements that could be made to Council’s community engagement around the proposed increase to general rates, with improvements since implemented. Comprehensive community engagement was undertaken in May 2024 and July 2024 on the need for the proposed SRV increase and the impact that it would have on ratepayers and the ability to renew assets that are important to the community.

Residents are encouraged to view the Long Term Financial Plan and Delivery Program currently on exhibition and provide their feedback for consideration of Council here: https://www.federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au/Connect/On-Exhibition

Residents are also encouraged to view the SRV project information available on Council’s website: https://www.federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au/Living-Here/Rates/Special-Rate-Variation-Project-24-25