Drop in and learn more from Councillors and staff about the draft plans currently on exhibition and how you can make a submission before Council considers all feedback and adopts the final plans at their meeting on June 28.
Ask a question, provide input, or just have a chat with our Councillors and team members as they visit your area on:
Monday, June 6:
- Corowa Civic Centre: 10am - 12 noon
- Howlong Council Office and Library: 2pm - 4pm.
Wednesday, June 8:
- Urana Council Chamber: 10am - 12 noon
- Mulwala Council Office and Library: 2pm - 4pm.
These sessions build on the earlier engagement across print media and Council's digital media and in person through our roadshow, where over 100 residents attended the sessions held across Corowa, Howlong, Mulwala and Urana.. Importantly, the draft strategic documents propose a four-year special rate variation for implementation, if approved by IPART, from the 23/24 year onwards.
Federation Council Mayor, Cr Pat Bourke said I would like to thank all residents who attended our roadshows in recent weeks.
"We are receiving great community feedback and it is always appreciated," he said.
"Council will consider all feedback in our meeting on June 28 and adjust any plans if considered appropriate and possible, to ensure we continue to do all we can to ensure our plans reflect community views and priorities, of course within Councils financial capacity. Hence the special rate variation application signals Councils intent that more funding is needed, and I think ratepayers recognises this. We acknowledge the financial impact that the increase to general rates places on those who are more vulnerable in our community. To better support these ratepayers we will be reviewing our Hardship Policy and we have commissioned an independent capacity to pay study to guide the direction of Council."
Mayor Bourke said the feedback throughout the consultation period so far had consistent themes, with the focus being largely on road improvements, how any special rate increase if approved would be applied, council's communication, ensuring council continues to seek and demonstrate efficiencies, and planning and development matters.
"Service reviews play a large part in the continual work on efficiencies," he said.
"Council understands very clearly where we are at on our sustainability journey, and that has led us to developing the current draft plans to pave the way forward. There is a lot of information currently out there and I thank those residents who are taking the time to ensure they are well informed to allow valuable feedback. I would also like to assure residents that our long-term plans rely upon ensuring our services are efficient, whilst still increasing the revenue of Council, and allowing over time if additional rates are approved, for an improvement in the maintenance and renewal/upgrade of our roads and other assets as required. This is something we will continue to do hand in hand with the community to ensure sustainability for the betterment of our communities into the future."
Council invites feedback on the draft documents from all interested stakeholders and members of the community before 5pm Tuesday, June 14, 2022. View the documents from anyone of our Council offices, or online from our website.
