A special rate variation allows council to increase total rates by more than the annual Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) rate cap.
Federation Council is planning to apply to IPART for a SRV for the 2025-26 year. The cumulative impact of the SRV is 69.94% over two years, including the assumed rate peg. This includes converting the current temporary SRV of 39.2% cumulative (which otherwise expires after the 2024-25 financial year) into a permanent one.
The purpose of the SRV is to improve financial sustainability, address infrastructure maintenance shortfalls and maintain other services wherever possible.
Council has a desperate need for an SRV as it responds to a structural imbalance in the operating budget that earlier work has demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt to have existed for decades. Quite simply, Council’s required operating expenditure has well-exceeded its revenue over many years.
Federation Council has stated that if they don’t get the SRV approved, they would have to cut capital expenditures by approximately $6 million, or 24% of cash operating expenditures per year.
This would involve Council deferring asset renewal and maintenance of roads and other infrastructure assets. The longer asset maintenance and renewal are delayed, the greater the ultimate costs are to bring them up to a satisfactory standard.
A fact sheet and survey have been sent via Aus Post to 6200 mailboxes in the Federation Local Government Area. The fact sheet and survey can also be viewed and completed online from council’s website.
Council also encourages residents to attend the following listening posts and meetings.
Listening Post: Wednesday, 24th of July 2024 – Urana Council Chambers: 11am – 1pm.
Listening Post: Thursday, 25th of July 2024 - Howlong Bakery: 11am – 1pm.
Council will conduct six in person community meetings, as well as one online community meeting at the following sites and encourages residents to attend:
Community Meeting: Monday, 29th of July 2024 – Oaklands RSL, Bowling and Community Club: 9am – 11am.
Community Meeting: Monday, 29th of July 2024 – Morundah Palladium Theatre: 12.30pm – 2.30pm.
Community Meeting: Monday, 29th of July 2024 – Urana Bowling Club: 6pm – 8pm.
Community Meeting: Tuesday, 30th of July 2024 – Club Mulwala: 10am – 12 noon.
Community Meeting: Tuesday, 30th of July 2024 – Corowa Golf Club: 6pm – 8pm.
Community Meeting: Wednesday, 31st of July 2024 – Howlong Football Club ‘Mighty Murray Room’: 10am – 12 noon.
Community Meeting ‘Online’: Thursday, 1st of August 2024 – Council Website for meeting link: 6pm – 8pm.
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