Federation Ratepayers Incorporated

03/10/2026

ANOTHER CONSULTANT. ANOTHER REVIEW.

At a time when Federation Council is warning of serious financial pressures, ratepayers are entitled to ask: why are we paying a consultant to tell us what we already know?

Council is seeking a consultant to undertake another comprehensive review of the Corowa Aquatic Centre- looking at its financial performance, operations and how it should be managed for the next 5–10 years.

But the Aquatic Centre has already been through a service review. Council has already considered different staffing and management models. And we already know the facility is a significant ongoing cost to ratepayers.

The timing is particularly concerning.

Council has just warned that proposed changes to Financial Assistance Grants could see its annual allocation fall by around $2.17 million.

Meanwhile, AlburyCity has taken a very different approach. Faced with a proposed $55.4 million redevelopment of Lavington Swim Centre, it has changed course and is now looking at what can realistically be achieved within a $25 million cap.

So what exactly will another Corowa Aquatic Centre review tell us that Council doesn’t already know? And how much will ratepayers pay to find out?

When residents are continually being told about Council’s financial challenges, every dollar spent deserves scrutiny.

Financial sustainability can’t just be something Council talks about. It must be reflected in the decisions it makes.

15/09/2026

A mid-term election of office bearers took place at Federation Council’s September meeting, with Cr Cheryl Cook continuing in the role of Mayor and Cr David Bott elected as Deputy Mayor.

Congratulations to Mayor Cook on her re-election. Having developed considerable experience in the role, she now has the opportunity to build on that work and provide continuity in Council’s leadership for the remainder of the term.

Federation Ratepayers also give a huge congratulation to Cr David Bott, our inaugural Chairman, on his election as Deputy Mayor.

Since being elected to Council, Cr Bott has has time and again proven to the ratepayerss of this council that he has their best interests at heart & has achieved some excellent results in the small time he has been involved.

We look forward to seeing him bring that same commitment and energy to the role of Deputy Mayor.

Congratulations to both Cr Cook and Cr Bott on their appointments.

Council Leadership Update 🏛️

Councillors have today elected Cr Cheryl Cook as Mayor and Cr David Bott as Deputy Mayor to lead our region over the next two-year term!

"I am deeply committed to serving our community with transparency, energy and a clear focus on delivering the services and facilities our residents deserve," said re-elected Mayor Cook.

Newly elected Deputy Mayor Cr David Bott added, "My focus will be on strong financial stewardship, open communication with residents and supporting Mayor Cook to deliver tangible outcomes for our entire community."

👏✨Join us in congratulating Mayor Cook and Deputy Mayor Bott as they take on these pivotal roles!
➡️Learn more: https://ow.ly/scPb50ZNEqT

13/08/2026

📣Federation Ratepayers Inc is right behind the Mulwala community.

More than 1,000 people have signed the petition, and on Tuesday 18 August those concerns will be taken directly to Federation Council.

If you can be there, get down to the Council Chambers and show your support. As a collective, communities have a far greater chance of being heard and influencing the decisions that affect them.

This isn’t just a Mulwala issue. It’s a reminder of how important it is for people across the Federation Council area to turn up and speak up when it matters.

📍 Federation Council Chambers, Corowa
🕣 From 8:50am

Mulwala Progress Association

07/08/2026

🛣️ MULWALA, Rennie, Oaklands and Morundah residents.

Federation Council is seeking community representatives from the western side of the shire to join its Roads Advisory Committee.

There are currently:
🔹 Two positions for Morundah and Oaklands
🔹 Two positions for Mulwala and Rennie

The committee provides community feedback on the management, maintenance and future development of our local road network, including road renewal priorities and maintenance planning.

📅 Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday, 26 August 2026.

Find out more and apply here:
https://www.federationcouncil.nsw.gov.au/Connect/Have-your-Say/Roads-Advisory-Committee-Expressions-of-Interest-Western-Quadrants

Good road decisions need input from the people who actually use them.

Council is calling for expressions of interests from local residents in the western area of the Federation Council LGA to join Council's Roads Advisory Committee.

04/08/2026

📣 $400,000 A YEAR? THE FIGURES TELL A DIFFERENT STORY.

There’s been plenty said about the cost of operating the Corowa Aerodrome, including figures of around $400,000 a year.

But the figures show:

✈️ 2023: $119,160
✈️ 2024: $206,091
✈️ 2025: $96,027

So where did the $400,000 figure come from?

We’ll be looking at the numbers and what’s happening with the Corowa Aerodrome at our AGM.

📍 Ms Birdie Room, Club Corowa
📅 Wednesday 5 August
🕕 6pm

Come along, hear the facts and have your say.

03/08/2026

📣 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴? ✈️🏠💰

Federation Ratepayers is bringing local residents together this Wednesday for our 2026 AGM - and you’re invited.

Hear what we’ve been working on, find out what’s ahead and tell us which issues you believe deserve a 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲.

We’ll also be sharing more about the 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗮 𝗔𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲, including the figures behind its reported operating costs and why the community was told it was costing around $400,000 a year when the 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 $𝟮𝟬𝟲,𝟬𝟵𝟭.

There is more to this story, and residents deserve the opportunity to hear the facts, ask questions and understand how decisions affecting important community assets are being made.

It’s also an opportunity to meet other residents who care about the Federation Council area and learn how Federation Ratepayers turns local concerns into action.

You don’t need to be a member or have any special knowledge. Bring a question, an idea or simply come along to listen.

📅 Wednesday 5 August 2026
🕕 6.00pm
📍 Ms Birdie Room, Club Corowa
30 Betterment Parade, Corowa

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

28/07/2026

📣 GOT SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT OUR COUNCIL?

Don’t just talk about it, come and be part of the conversation.

Federation Ratepayers Incorporated is holding its 2026 AGM, and all Federation Council residents are invited. Hear what we’ve been working on, raise the issues that matter to you and help decide where we go next.

📅 Wednesday 5 August 2026
🕕 6.00 pm
📍 Birdie Room, Club Corowa
30 Betterment Parade, Corowa

The evening will also include our financial report and the election of the 2026–27 committee and office bearers.

You don’t need to be an expert or have all the answers. You just need to care about what happens in our community.

What local issue do you think needs more attention? Tell us below or bring it to the AGM.

21/07/2026

📣 HAVE YOUR SAY AT OUR 2026 AGM! 📣

Residents of the Federation Council community are invited to join us for an important evening of updates, discussion and decisions about the year ahead.

📅 Wednesday 5 August 2026
🕕 6.00pm
📍 Birdie Room, Club Corowa
30 Betterment Parade, Corowa

Come along to:

✅ Hear what Federation Ratepayers has been working on
✅ Review the 2025–26 financial statements
✅ Elect the 2026–27 office bearers and committee
✅ Raise questions and discuss issues that matter to our community

Your voice matters so make this your opportunity to be part of the conversation and help shape what comes next.

We’d love to see a strong turnout, so save the date and come along!

19/07/2026

The survey results are in!

A total of 184 Federation Council residents took part in the Federation Ratepayers Inc 2026 Councillor Performance Survey sharing their views on the issues they believe should be prioritised over the next 12 months.

Across the written responses, eight key themes emerged — including tourism, roads and infrastructure, rates and spending, local business support, communication, accountability and fair representation across all towns.

The message from respondents was consistent: residents want councillors to listen, communicate clearly, scrutinise council operations and deliver practical results.

Click the link to see the report > https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zotI4zLwEtzgnbxbVuRhnfE2jxkGniYg/view?usp=sharing

These results are indicative of respondent sentiment and should not be interpreted as representing the views of the entire population.

17/03/2026

📢Have Your Say – There’s Still Time!

Our community survey is still open, and we want to hear from you. This is your chance to share your thoughts on the future of our towns and the priorities you believe councillors should focus on.

Whether you have concerns, ideas for improvement, or positive feedback about what councillors are doing well, your input is important.

If you haven’t had the opportunity yet, please take a few minutes to complete the survey online here:
https://forms.gle/LDNrVFkiKUGKtXCT9

Hard copies of the community survey are available at the following locations:

• Amber Rose – Corowa
• Howlong Bakery – Howlong
• Hicks Butchery – Mulwala
• Oaklands General Store – Oaklands
• Urana Newsagency & Takeaway – Urana

Thank you to these local businesses for helping make the survey accessible to our community.