Council vote to apply for Special Rate Variation

Published on 04 February 2021

At an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, Federation Council voted unanimously to submit the Corowa Aquatic Centre Special Rate Variation Application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for determination.

Based on the extensive feedback, Council Officers recommended that the 2021/22 rate peg of 2% be applied based on the value of land, and the Special Variation of 6% be applied evenly to each property in the Federation Council area. This results in an increase to average residential rates of $1.26 per week to go towards the operation costs of the new aquatic facility. Following the proposed change, average residential rates in Federation will remain in the lowest 20% in the state.

Council adopted a schedule of fees and charges for Corowa pool users at the January Council meeting, with a view to setting them at a level that will encourage visitation and will be affordable for all local families throughout the wider region.

Federation Council Mayor, Cr Patrick Bourke said the decision to submit the rate variation application was one that no Councillor took lightly.

“Councillors ultimately agreed that in order for our Shire to improve its livability for residents, grow our destination identity and ensure our assets, such as pools are maintained in-line with our community’s expectations it was necessary to apply for a Special Rate Variation,” he said.

“In making the decision Councillors considered a final report prepared and presented by staff which recognized the majority of the Shire’s residents who responded through public meetings, surveys and submissions during the consultation phases supported some level of rate increase above the rate peg amount to go towards quality infrastructure projects such as this. This is an asset that will have numerous benefits for today’s Federation Council community and for future generations and Council look forward to opening the facility to the public in early April 2021.”

Applying for a Special Rate Variation was a key component of Council’s Long Term Financial Plan that was adopted by Council in July 2020.

Mayor Bourke said the Council was completing extensive work to ensure the Council had a financially sustainable future, whilst still allowing communities to grow and prosper and meet ratepayer’s service expectations.

“This decision marks a significant milestone in our Shire,” Mayor Bourke said.

“This decision paves the way for a sustainable Shire and promises to deliver quality community infrastructure and services for all of our residents for many years ahead that will help deliver their aspirations and priorities as detailed in Federation Council’s Community Strategic Plan, Our Community – Our Opportunity 2018-2028,” he said.

“Over recent years Council have concentrated on making Council stronger and more efficient, by saving money where possible through: staffing restructures, sale of industrial land, strategic planning of Council’s business assets, efficiencies in procurement and better management and maintenance of assets. There is still much work to do, but Council remain committed and focused on the journey ahead.”

Council’s application will now be submitted to IPART for determination with rate payers having the opportunity to have their say on the application directly to IPART before a final decision is made in May 2021.

Two community meetings are also scheduled to occur in late February to provide Council and the community the opportunity to engage on the Special Rate Variation Application Process and gain a further understanding of the Corowa Aquatic Centre and its planned operations.

Should the application be approved, the increase would be applied to Council’s 2021/2022 first quarterly rates instalment due in July this year.