FEDERATION COUNCIL SNIPPETS
POSITIONS VACANT
Federation Council is committed to being a quality Council with a strong focus on the delivery of services that continually meet community expectations. If you are committed to excellent customer service, being a competent team player and have a focus on results orientation that drives strategic thinking and fosters a culture of innovation, learning and continuous improvement, then one of these opportunities is for you:
• Customer Service Officer
• Pool Attendant Positions - Level 1 & 2
A more detailed advertisement and position description can be obtained from Council’s website.
Emailing: jobs@federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au or by phone on (02) 6033 8903.
BOOK SALE
The Corowa Friends of the Library will be hosting their book sale on Saturday 1 November, 9am - 1pm in the Memorial Hall Plaza, Sanger Street Corowa. The book sale is the groups major fundraiser for the year and provides the opportunity for residents and visitors to purchase pre-loved books and DVD’s that have been donated or replaced by new stock at the Corowa Library. A range of genres will be available including children’s books, fiction, biographies, mystery, romance, Australian authors and sci-fi. Stop by to pick up a bargain and support the Corowa Friends of the Library. Books and DVDs are priced from $1.
ON EXHIBITION
The draft Code of Meeting Practice and Gifts and Benefits Policy are now available on public exhibition.
Draft Gifts and Benefits Policy
The purpose of this policy is to outline Council’s commitment to ensuring all Council officials conduct themselves in a manner to which the community expects and provides direction for managing the Gifts and Benefits disclosure process. It also outlines appropriate actions in relation to any offers of gifts or benefits, and ensures the appropriate mechanisms are in place to protect the integrity, security and reputation of Council.
Feedback closes 5pm, Friday 31 October, 2025.
Draft Code of Meeting Practice
This code applies to all meetings of councils and committees of councils of which all the members are councillors (committees of council). Council committees (usually referred to as Advisory Committees) whose members include persons other than councillors will be bound by this Code of Meeting Practice unless the council determines otherwise.
Feedback closes 5pm, Friday 14 November, 2025.
Customer Service Charter
This Customer Service Charter sets out what the community can expect when dealing with Federation Council. It states our commitments relating to how our staff will respond to you, the systems we will use to engage with you and when you can expect a formal response from us. It also sets out how you can deal with your enquiry and what further action you may consider. Feedback closes 5pm, Friday 14 November, 2025. Council invites residents to review the draft documents from Council’s website or at any Council office and provide feedback.
‘CRIES FROM THE ANTHROPOCENE’ ART EXHIBITION
We’re incredibly excited to host the profound group exhibition, ‘Cries From The Anthropocene,’ by the Creative Practice Circle (CPC) at the Corowa Art Space!
This dynamic network of regional artists and researchers from Charles Sturt University (CSU) tackles the biggest ethical and practical challenges facing our world. Their exhibition weaves together diverse creative forms—from collage and embroidery to poetry and digital prints—as a powerful research methodology. The CPC is fostering a vital dialogue across the arts, humanities, and natural sciences to envision a world worth living in.
• 23 October to 22 November, 2025
• Tuesday - Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm, Saturday 10am - 2pm.
DEVELOPMENT CONSENTS
Public notice is given pursuant to Section 101 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979, that the Council has granted development consent in respect of the following developments. The consents are available for public inspection by contacting Council during business hours.
2026 AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond for our community? This is your chance to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes and outstanding groups who have made a significant contribution to the community. Award Categories:
• Citizen of the Year Award
• Young Citizen of the Year Award
• Local Hero Awards - Individual, Community Group & Sports Nominations are open until 5pm, Friday 7 November, 2025. Detailed guidance to help you complete a nomination form is available on the Council website.
Federation Council advises that there are significant delays to all applications being lodged for each stage of the development process. Staff shortages, in conjunction with the increasing complexity of the NSW Planning Portal Processes required to be undertaken by Council has seen pre-lodgement assessment times increasing to 6-8 weeks and average determination times taking between 10-12 weeks. We ask you for your cooperation as Council officers concentrate on clearing the backlog of applications while maintaining all other legislated services.
PERMANENT VEHICLE ACCESS RESTRICTION: HODDLE STREET, HOWLONG
Federation Council has made the decision to permanently restrict vehicular access to the unformed section of Hoddle Street, Howlong, located between Orchard Street and Ashford Road. This measure is being taken primarily due to growing safety concerns and the continued unauthorised use of the area as a thoroughfare, which has led to significant deterioration of the ground. This restriction is necessary as Council’s current resources are constrained by a substantial backlog on constructed roads, preventing further repair work on this unmade section. It is important to note that this decision will not exclude the use of the unmade road reserve by pedestrians and cyclists. Access to the Howlong Cemetery will continue to be available via the sealed Ashford Road. While Council has no current plans to formally construct this section of road, this decision will not limit the future opportunity to fully construct Hoddle Street between Orchard Street and Ashford Road if circumstances change and funding becomes available. Installation of the permanent access barriers is set to commence in the coming weeks. For further information, visit Council’s website.
HOWLONG RESIDENTIAL HEAVY VEHICLE LENGTH LIMIT CHANGE
Federation Council, in collaboration with Transport for NSW, advises Howlong residents of a change to the heavy vehicle restrictions on Holbeach Street and residential side streets.
What is changing: The heavy vehicle restriction is changing from a weight limit (4.5 tonnes) to a 14-metre vehicle length limit.
Where: This new 14-metre length limit will apply to Holbeach Street and the surrounding residential network in Howlong. Why: This change improves safety by targeting the maneuverability of oversized vehicles at critical intersections (like Holbeach St/Riverina Hwy) and provides consistency across the residential road network. It also allows essential local vehicles (school buses, building material deliveries) to operate effectively.
Important exemption: Vehicles accessing a specific business site on Holbeach Street are exempt but must carry a manifest as proof of destination. New signage will be installed in the coming weeks. Please refer to the Council website for further information.
CAC SUMMER OPENING HOURS
The Corowa Aquatic Centre opening hours will be changing soon to summer season which will commence from Saturday 1 November to Tuesday 31 March, 2026. The outdoor and indoor facilities will be open over this time including the Splash Park, outdoor 50m pool, indoor 25m heated pool and indoor program pool.
Summer Season opening hours:
• Weekdays, 6am - 7pm
• Weekends, 8am - 6pm
• Public Holidays, 10am - 6pm
Splash Park opening hours for Summer during NSW school term:
• 9am – 12 noon and 3pm – 6pm, weekdays
• 9am – 5pm, weekends
Splash Park opening hours during Summer NSW School Holidays:
• 9am – 6pm, weekdays
• 9am – 5pm, weekends
• Find out more by visiting www.corowaaquaticcentre.com.au
For more information, contact the Community Development Team at Council on (02) 6033 8999 or at communityevents@ federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au.
Award recipients will be announced at the official Australia Day Award Ceremony on Monday 26 January, 2026, in Corowa. Let’s recognise the incredible people who help our communities thrive!
UNION PICNIC - ALTERED CUSTOMER SERVICE
Federation Council wishes to advise that customer service will not be available in person or via phone from the Corowa and Urana Council Offices on Tuesday 4 November, 2025. Due to the Union Picnic day, Council will be operating with reduced customer service staff. If customers wish to bring non urgent matters to Council’s attention on this day, please lodge an online customer request from Council’s website or email council@federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au
For urgent matters only, please contact our emergency phone number, P: 1800 110 088. The Mulwala and Howlong Office and Library, the Corowa Service NSW agency and the Corowa Library will be open as per normal operating hours. Council apologises for any inconvenience caused.
SPRING GROWTH, SUMMER SAFETY: PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY NOW
Federation Council is calling on all residents to partner with us in keeping our community safe by ensuring properties are regularly maintained now and into the coming summer.
Council wishes to remind all landowners to please manage the vegetation within their property boundaries. This includes:
• Keeping grass and weeds regularly slashed or mown.
• Trimming shrubs and vegetation back from buildings and fences.
• Maintaining nature strips adjacent to your property. Unmanaged, excessive vegetation acts as a dangerous fuel load that can dramatically increase fire risk as the weather becomes hotter and drier. Getting ahead of the growth now is the most effective way to protect your home, your neighbours, and the wider community. To ensure compliance and community safety, Council staff undertake routine inspections and actively respond to concerns raised by residents regarding excessive vegetation growth.
We encourage residents who have allowed vegetation to become overgrown to address these issues immediately. Proactive management is always the preferred and safest course of action. We rely on the community working alongside us to identify potential risks. If you have concerns about excessive vegetation growth on a property that may pose a fire risk or general safety concern, please bring it to our attention. You can easily lodge a request via the following channels:
• Online Customer Request from Council’s website
• Phone: Contact us P: (02) 60338999
By taking responsibility for your property’s maintenance, you are making a vital contribution to the safety and resilience of the entire Federation Council community.