Rates rises are a topic guaranteed to get attention and if turnout at recent public forums is any indication, Federation Shire Council’s application for a special rates variation has everyone talking.

The council reported active participation in pop-up sessions held in Corowa, Mulwala, Howlong, and Urana last week, and about 200 people attended public forums in Corowa, Mulwala and Oaklands, organised by Federation Ratepayers Inc.

Federation Mayor, Cheryl Cook said the pop-up sessions were an opportunity for ratepayers to learn more about the Special Rate Variation (SRV) application, provide feedback, and utilize the general rates estimator to get a better understanding of the potential impact.

"The feedback we've received is invaluable and will continue to play a crucial role in shaping our decision-making process,” Cr Cook said.

"It's important that ratepayers have access to clear and transparent information.”

Organisers of the three ratepayers’ forums stressed they were not against rate rises, just not to the magnitude of 69.94 per cent over four years.

It was the access to “clear and transparent information” that had most people concerned.

Pop-up sessions held during the day, and for just one hour, were seen as insufficient and “too little, too late”, according to organiser Mark Schoen.

“People feel the council is just continuing down the notion of minimalistic community engagement,” Mr Schoen said.

“Those sessions should have happened before the application was submitted to IPAC.

“Now, when it’s too late, it’s just a tokenistic gesture.”

Federation Shire Councillor David Bott attended the Corowa forum, but didn’t address the meeting.

He said people he spoke to after the meeting did not support a rate increase until there was a genuine effort to restructure the council’s operations and performance.

“Everyone acknowledges that rate increases are inevitable, but not by the magnitude requested at the moment,” Cr Bott said.

“The airport is a good example; we have this asset, but we aren’t charging for proper use of it… these are small things that add up to a lot of money.”

Cr Bott acknowledged that communicating with the community was a difficult task but was critical of the way the council sought feedback late last year.

“The SRV application was buried in the Financial Plan,” he said.

“It should have been the centrepiece and advertised as that when they asked for feedback about the Financial Plan.

“There were four submissions before Christmas and now we have a situation where it’s two minutes to midnight and people are asking what it means.”

Federation Council’s monthly financial reports show the trends in rate debtors in the past five years.

The June 2023 report showed about $500,000 in overdue rates and by June 2024 that had increased to more than $1.2 million.

Federation Ratepayers Inc secretary, Rosie Bye said the increasing number of overdue rates showed it was becoming beyond people’s means to pay.

“The good news is the council has improved its hardship policy, so rates can be deferred for 12 months with an extra clause for pensioners,” Ms Bye said.

Cr Cook and Federation Ratepayers Inc are encouraging all residents to provide direct feedback to IPART.

"Your voice matters, and IPART will carefully consider all submissions,” Cr Cook said.

"Anyone with questions or concerns can contact council and arrange a meeting with our chief financial officer.

“We’re committed to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to have their questions answered."

Submissions to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) close on Monday, March 24.

More information about the SRV is available on the council’s website, and feedback can be provided directly to IPART on its website at https://ow.ly/e7235OV9YzB

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Friday, 14th March 2025

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