An overall operating budget of $215 million in total was managed by Federation Council in its first term from 2017 to 2021.
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“It has ensured the consistent delivery of the 43 services area of council, as well as the delivery of unprecedented new infrastructure projects,” council’s General Manager Adrian Butler said at the final monthly meeting of councillors on November 16.
“Early foundation work, along with the restructuring and subsequent recruitment within the Federation Council organisation has been a key factor in council now having a solid base to work forward on and transition into phase two of our organisational journey.
“Since the formation of Federation Council in 2016, council has worked extensively to deliver a range of new community infrastructure projects, as well as complete a monumental number of internal system upgrades and projects to provide a strong foundation for council and the community moving forward.”
As a result of the $10 million Stronger Communities Fund (merger funds) as well as many
subsequent grants, including from the Stronger County Communities Grant Program, COVID Stimulus and drought funding, council has invested in many new, and or upgraded community assets across the council region, enhancing the area’s reputation for liveability greatly.
“Council has also undertaken significant investment into its roads and related infrastructure network, however there remains a significant challenge in managing these assets with current revenue levels,” Mr Butler said.
“Council as a business has experienced rapid changes and growth since its creation, with both former councils having historically low rate bases and disproportionate asset bases to population levels.”
These challenges include a road network of 2322 km of roads comprising 964 km of sealed roads and 1,358 km of gravel roads. With its 14 towns and villages, Federation Council has a large amount of relatively low usage but high priority to the community, facilities, such as halls, courts and ovals.
“Council and the community are aware there are significant infrastructure challenges ahead that will almost undoubtedly require significant special rate increases,” the General Manager said.
“While the merger funding has delivered some excellent facilities for our community, council needs to ensure it can afford to maintain and operate them and strategically identify and plan for revenue sources to support its growing asset list.
“Over the next 12 months council is recommended to engage with the community to discuss an array of options on how council increases its revenue to meet community expectations in relation to service delivery, asset renewal, and asset maintenance.
“Council’s main focus in the short to medium term also is recommended to focus on critical infrastructure planning for the required water and sewer upgrades along with a sustained improvement to council’s asset management approach, especially in the roads and related infrastructure area, buildings and
facilities and waste management areas.”
Council is set to deliver $16M in Capital Projects, $6.5M in Road Works and $5.8M on Sewerage and Water Network Works for the 2021-2022 financial year.
Future project highlights include:
$10.6million Corowa Saleyards upgrade
$3.3m Corowa to Mulwala Cycleway
$2.7million Cullivel Road Urana upgrade
Progress sales of industrial land in Howlong and Mulwala
Implement North of the Murray branding
$2.6million Corowa foreshore upgrade
Review Community Strategic Plan and develop new Delivery Program
Develop the Federation Council Local Environmental Plan.
At council’s final meeting of December 16, of elected councillors in 2017, Cr Paul Miegel praised council’s use of the $5 million merger funding, saying it was used very wisely.
“Yes, we’ve delivered a lot of great assets but the use of merger funding was spent very wisely,” he said.
Cr Fred Longmire encouraged council and the rural community to work together which can lead to better roads and willingness to accept increased rates.
Mayor Pat Bourke said four years ago, everyone came together with the merger with mixed opinions about the Corowa-Urana amalgamation. “It’s been a rebuilding of all departments, it was huge,” he said.
“I feel we’ve been united for some time now, the way councillors and staff have worked together. It’s been an absolutely amazing time.”
The mayor mentioned the three councillors not seeking re-election – Crs Bronwyn Thomas, Paul Miegel and Fred Longmire – whom, he said, “added so much to this council”. Cr Bourke thanked the trio for their contributions and wished them all the best, as well as wishing councillors seeking re-election the same.
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