At the June 2023 Council meeting, Council adopted an updated Delivery Program and Annual Budget. These documents set out the projects and initiatives that Council will be delivering for you in 2023/24.
The $51 million operating program will ensure that Council is able to continue to provide an extensive range of services such as libraries, footpaths, mobile preschool, water supply, parks and gardens, and waste management, amongst others.
There is also a $10.4 million capital program which will see renewal of roads, plant, water and sewer infrastructure.
The plans include a 19% general rate increase for the 2023/24 financial year (including the 4.3% rate peg).
This increase has been assessed and approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) through the Special Rate Variation (SRV) process. This decision will enable increased maintenance and progressive renewal of assets that are important to many community members, such as sealed and unsealed roads, drainage and buildings.
Why are you receiving this?
Council has received significant feedback over the past 12 months, requesting further communication methods, including providing information to be included with rates notices, such as this. We hope you find this helpful.
If you are unable to access our plans, policies and strategies online, they are available from our offices or by calling our customer service team.
Your rates notice
Your rates notice will include other charges in addition to your general rates. All properties are charged a waste facility levy for the rehabilitation of Council landfills. Other charges are dependent on where your property is and the services available. The charges may include a commercial or domestic kerbside waste collection charge, a rural waste management charge or an onsite sewerage management fee.
Operating program for 2023/24
Along with user charges and fees and government grants, your general rates assist in funding an extensive $51 million operating program. From maintaining 999km of sealed and 1,311km of unsealed roads, 73 bridges and major culverts, 62km of footpaths, to providing four libraries and a mobile library service, four aquatic centres, 19 community halls, 30 playgrounds, four landfills, a waste transfer station and over 150 open space / recreation venues.
Other services include caravan parks, customer service, Service NSW, Corowa saleyards, cemeteries, mobile preschool and tourism.
Operating expenditure 2023/24
Special Rate Variation
IPART recently approved a two-year temporary general rate increase of 19% in year one (2023/24) and 17% in year two (2024/25). Council had requested a permanent general rate increase of 19% for 2023/24, with 17%, 14% and 10% for the following three years.
Council’s financial modelling highlights a need for increased rates to fund infrastructure maintenance and renewal into the future. Council will need to re-apply to IPART if it seeks to permanently increase general rates. A new application will be considered in coming months, following further analysis of the IPART determination and Council’s longer-term financial position and further engagement with our community.
We are committed to continuing to engage with our community on opportunities to meet our financial sustainability goals and encourage you to sign up to our electronic newsletter to stay up to date with our journey and other council news.
What will the SRV fund?
The 19% general rate increase will generate an additional $1.3 million in revenue in 2023/24 and will fund the following projects/initiatives:
•Additional road resealing (sealed roads) ($618,000 / 14.6km):
— Drain Lane
— Back Berrigan Road
— Greenvale Road
— Emu Park Road
— Goombargana Road
— River Road
•Additional road resheeting (gravel roads) ($161,000 / 5.9km):
— Woodhouse Road
— Swan Lagoon Road
— Sandy Ridges Road
— Narrow Plains Road
• Corowa Stormwater Drainage Improvements Stage 1 ($161,000)
• Stormwater Drainage Strategy for urban areas
• Preventive building maintenance program
• North of the Murray 5 Year Destination Marketing Strategy 2020-2024
• Tree management strategy
• Activities to support Council’s Friendship Agreement with Miki City
• Recruitment of a Procurement Officer to more effectively support the increased spending on asset maintenance and renewal
What if I am finding it difficult to pay my rates?
The Special Rate Variation (SRV) took effect from 1 July 2023 for all rateable properties in the Federation Council Local Government Area.
Council is conscious of the financial hardship that increased rates may cause and has recently updated its Debt Management and Hardship Policy. This policy provides options for regular payment plans or extended payment terms in hardship situations. To find out what financial support is available, ratepayers are encouraged to call our Rates Department on (02) 60338999 or view the policy on Council’s website.