Council adopted its 'Future Federation' strategic plans for 2024/25 at its June Council meeting.
The 'Future Federation' Delivery Program, incorporating the Operational Plan and Annual Budget, 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 specific projects, programs and activities that Council will conduct to progress community priorities, as well as initiatives required to fulfil Council's legislative responsibilities. 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.
Council endorsed a 17% increase to general rates for 2024/25. This is consistent with the IPART approval for a temporary increase to general rate income for a two-year period of 19% in 2023/24 and 17% in 2024/25. Further hard copy communication and information about the increase will be provided to ratepayers when 2024/25 rate notices are distributed. You can view the hard copy communication and information flyer(PDF, 59KB).
In adopting the plans, Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke said the overall plan's primary focus was to ensure Council services are sustainable into the future, while delivering on the important objectives outlined in the Community Strategic Plan.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents who wrote submissions to Council and the hundreds of people that we engaged during the development of our plans," he said.
"Council looks forward to continuing to engage with the Federation community on how Council can be financially sustainable whilst delivering the services that our community expect and value and managing Council's assets with a longer term outlook. Council knows, and I think the community understands broadly, that Council's roads and other infrastructure need additional ongoing funding to get on top of the backlog caused by years of underfunding. Council will be engaging with the community this July on its Special Rate Variation project , which is an important project for sustainability and I encourage residents to come along, be informed and provide their feedback."
