FEDERATION COUNCIL SNIPPETS
Find out more below or visit Council’s website by scanning the QR code or visiting: www.federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au
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:
• Water Truck Operator
• Operations Officer
• Heavy Plant Operator
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.
DONNA CAFFREY BLOOMING AGAIN EXHIBITION
Step Into a World of Texture and Bloom at Corowa Art Space. Federation Council is thrilled to announce the return of regional artist Donna Caffrey with her latest solo exhibition: Blooming Again. The exhibition includes:
• Intricate works featuring roses, daisies, and native wattles and banksias.
• Stunning large-scale fabric panels featuring hand and machine embroidery.
• A deep dive into the world of “bricolage”where repurposed materials are given a beautiful new life. Don’t miss this chance to experience the work of a highly regarded regional artist whose pieces have graced galleries from Albury to Shoalhaven!
To coincide with the exhibition, Caffrey will also be offering a Collage Card Making workshop on Wednesday 6 May, 2026 from 12:30pm, with card making activities in anticipation of Mother’s Day. Book your place now from Council’s website.
FEDERATION LIBRARIES SOAP MAKING
Get crafty this Mother’s Day
Looking for the perfect handmade gift? Join the Federation Libraries for a hands on soap making workshop! Discover the art of crafting beautiful, fragrant soaps that are almost too pretty to use. Suitable for ages 12 and up. When & where:
• Mulwala Library & Council Office: Wednesday 6 May | 2:30pm
• Howlong Library & Council Office: Thursday 7 May | 10:30am
• Corowa Library: Friday 8 May | 2:00pm Spaces are limited and bookings are essential!
• Call us: (02) 6033 8941.
• Pop in to your local branch.
• Book online by visiting Council’s website.
AFFORDABLE LIVING OPPORTUNITY IN OAKLANDS
A cozy unit is now available for rent at 1/46 Milthorpe Street, Oaklands. Recommended for aged pensioners, this unit features a single bedroom, a separate kitchen and living area, and a combined bathroom/laundry. Priced at an affordable $150 per week with a $600 bond, it offers a practical and comfortable living arrangement within the heart of the community. The property is managed by the Oaklands Aged Units Committee. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to Pam Danaher at 0427 354 133 to request an application. Please note that all necessary forms must be completed and submitted in full to be considered for this tenancy.
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT MOBILE SERVICE CENTRE VISIT
Australian Government Mobile Service Centres
Vibe Check Y OUTH
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.
WATER NOTICES & EXTENDED DUE DATE
Federation Council has recently issued water notices for the billing period of 1 November, 2025 to 28 February, 2026. Please take a moment to review the following important information regarding your bill and the adjusted payment timeline.
Extended Due Date: Due to a technical issue, the delivery of printed water bill notices via mailbox was delayed. To ensure residents have sufficient time to arrange payment, the due date has been extended to Friday 8 May, 2026. Please ignore the original due date printed on your physical notice. No late payment fees or charges will be applied during this extension period. Council apologises for any inconvenience this technical delay may have caused. During this four month period, Council has also noticed a significant increase in water consumption across the entire Council area. Because of this widespread spike in usage, many residents may notice their bill is higher than average. Find further information on Council’s website.
FEDERATION COUNCIL MOBILE PRESCHOOL
Federation Council Mobile Preschool is thrilled to announce that we are providing quality early years learning and education now five days a week across the northern area of the Federation Council.
We are particularly excited to have opened a new session in 2026 at Oaklands Central School. We are looking forward to this new collaboration with the Oaklands community, to further our relationships and support a positive transition to the school environment.
This term already we have been dedicated to building strong relationships with one another, fostering a sense of belonging within our preschool environments and engaging with our wider community. We have welcomed new and returning families to our service and are very much looking forward to another wonderful year of growth and discovery on the Mobile.
Did you know we offer transport to support children accessing up to 2 days of preschool?
If you have a child turning 3 we would love to hear from you. Please contact our service for more information and to join our waiting list.
• Call: 0400 309 444
• Email: preschool@federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au
• Visit Council’s website.
FIREWOOD COLLECTION
Firewood collection season is now open until the end of September 2026. Residents can collect firewood on designated Federation Council road reserves for home heating at certain times of the year with a permit. Further information including where you can and can’t collect firewood, plus all of the relevant fees and permit information is available from our website.
ON EXHIBITION
Draft Revenue Policy
At Council’s April ordinary meeting it endorsed the Draft Revenue Policy 2026-2027 for public exhibition for a period of 28 days.
Each NSW council is required to determine the combination of rates, charges, fees and pricing policies needed to fund the services it provides to the community through the revenue policy. The revenue policy contains a rating structure that determines which rates and charges to be paid and how they will be calculated. Charges are generally determined on either an annual basis or according to usage or combination of both, for example, water annual charges and user charges (consumption).
Council is inviting residents to review the draft policy and provide any feedback by 5pm, Wednesday 27 May, 2026. The draft document is available for viewing from Council’s website or at any Council office. Anyone interested in providing feedback should do so in writing, addressed to the General Manager, PO Box 77, Corowa NSW 2646 or email council@federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au
Federation Council, in partnership with the Corowa Local Health Advisory Committee and the Corowa Lions Club, is proud to offer fully subsidised Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training. This is a vital opportunity for adults in the Federation community to gain the skills, confidence, and practical tools needed to support young people (aged 12–18) when they need it most. Training is FREE for residents and volunteers who engage with young people in the Federation Council. Community members are encouraged to register their interest early via Council’s website to secure a place and indicate their preferred training format. This opportunity will close on Friday 22 May, 2026. This initiative is part of the Vibe Check Youth Mental Health Intervention Project supported by First Health Limited and Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network Community Grants through the Australian Government’s PHN program. Become a certified Youth Mental Health First Aider and help make a difference in a young person’s life by visiting Council’s website.
HAVE YOUR SAY: HELP SHAPE FLOOD PLANNING FOR OUR TOWNS
Following the 2024 Flood Study, Federation Council is now moving into the next phase: the Flood Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMS&P) for Corowa, Howlong, and Mulwala. Working with experts from WMAwater, we want to hear from you. This is your chance to understand local flood risks, ask questions, and help us plan a safer future for our community. Thank you to everyone who attended the Community Meetings. To capture your feedback, please complete the flood risk mitigation measures questionnaire available on the Council’s website. Submissions will close Thursday 30 April, 2026. Further information is available from Council’s website.
FREE MICROCHIPPING DAY
It’s time to grab your furry friends and join us for our Free Microchipping Day in Howlong and Mulwala! This is a fantastic opportunity to ensure your pets are safely identifiable so they can always find their way home. To make the day even better, we’ll be hosting a free sausage sizzle for all attendees! Event details: Saturday 23 May, 2026
• Howlong: 9am - 11am | Lowe Square, Hawkins Street
• Mulwala: 12pm - 2pm | Council Office & Library, 71 Melbourne Street
T&C’s apply. Find out more from Council’s website.
MIKI CITY 2026 STUDENT EXCHANGESEEKING HOST FAMILIES
We are so excited to announce that students from our Sister City, Miki City, Japan, are visiting Federation Council this August! We are looking for residents to act as host families. Whether you’re a family with kids or a couple with a spare room, this is a unique chance to share the Australian way of life and build lifelong international friendships. In 2023, over 60 locals made this exchange a huge success, let’s make 2026 even better!
• Visit dates: August 2026.
• Expressions of interest close: Monday 1 June, 2026. Express your interest via the online form on the Council’s website.
ACTIVE REGIONAL COMMUNITIES GRANT
This is a broad grant to increase liveability and social cohesion of communities through greater participation in community activities. Example projects include new and improved infrastructure and new and expanded services or programs. Grant amounts from $100,000 to $1,000,000. Applications close 4pm, Friday 1 May, 2026. For further information and to apply, go to www.nsw.gov.au/ grants-and funding/ communityparticipation
