Federation Council: 60 per cent rate rise sought over four years

Federation Council is planning on increasing its rates by 60 per cent, leaving farmers fuming. See the figures and developments from a public meeting.

A southern NSW council is seeking a massive 60 per cent special rate increase across all rating categories including farmland.

The hike sought by Federation Council from 2023-24 has angered farmers who are concerned not enough is already being spent on rural roads.

Roads between Corowa and Urana have deteriorated so badly that truck, header and school bus drivers won’t use them.

The council is seeking support for four successive rate rises of 19, 17, 14 and 10 per cent across all rating categories follows a 2.5 per cent increase already locked in for 2022-23.

By 2027 rates on rural properties could increase from $2512 to $4496 if the increases are approved.

Farmer concerns about the rate hikes were aired at a meeting at Coreen this week attended by more than 100 people.

A public meeting was held at Coreen this week to discuss rate increases proposed by Federation Council. Picture: Supplied

Coreen’s David Bott said the initial rises could be the start of more to come.

“Blind Freddy can tell you all the things they need to fix up these roads are all going up as well,” he said.

“The cold, hard reality of it all is that in another four years we’re not going to be much better off than what we are now.

“There is nothing special about a special rate variation that adds nothing to your existing services.

“This hasn’t just happened overnight, this has been brewing through the previous council.”

Federation is a merger of the former Corowa and Urana shires and the decision to join forces in 2016 was met with large amounts of state government funding for community projects including a $10.2 million indoor swimming pool in Corowa.

Corowa landowner Rosie Dye.

Rosie Dye, an agronomist and landowner north of Corowa, said school bus drivers were refusing to travel some rural roads because their condition was so poor.

“We want school bus routes prioritised and ambulances to be able to get to households in rural areas,” she said.

“Two weeks ago there was an instance where an ambulance couldn’t get to where it was meant to go.

“A tractor had to pull it up the road to get to the emergency after a 20mm rain shower.

“The size of the rate increase and the level of service we are currently receiving, especially for roads, is so far below what we need to operate our businesses.”

Federation mayor Pat Bourke attended the Coreen meeting and was contacted by The Weekly Times for comment.