NSW · Murray / Riverina · Local council, made simple
Federation Council
A large rural council on the Murray River, on the NSW–Victoria border in the Southern Riverina — around 13,075 people across towns including Corowa (the largest town and council seat), Mulwala, Howlong and Urana, on an agricultural economy. Formed in 2016 from the merger of Corowa Shire and Urana Shire. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, parks, development — and sets your rates, which are undergoing a large IPART-approved increase over 2025–26 and 2026–27. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
Special rate variation: +69.94% over 2025–26 and 2026–27
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 5 of 9 OLG benchmarks (2023–24)
Open →Crime & safetyFederation's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
10 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Cheryl Cook
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 6033 8999
Open →Area profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~13,075
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Federation Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
IPART approves a 69.94% special rate variation over two years
IPART approved Federation Council's application for a permanent 69.94% increase to general rates income across 2025–26 (52.01%) and 2026–27 (11.8%), on top of the ordinary rate peg, effective from 1 July 2025.
What this means for you: Ratepayers in Federation will see a substantially larger rates increase than the standard annual rate peg (which was 4.8% for 2025–26). The council has linked the increase to funding a larger roads, bridges and footpaths program and to longer-term financial sustainability. Check the council's Revenue Policy or your rates notice for the dollar impact on your property.
Source: IPART — Media Release: IPART Decisions on Council Special Variation Applications
- Council meeting
Cheryl Cook elected Mayor, Rowena Black elected Deputy Mayor
At an extraordinary council meeting on 15 October 2024, councillors elected Cr Cheryl Cook (Howlong) as Mayor, defeating Cr Derek Schoen 5 votes to 4, and elected Cr Rowena Black as Deputy Mayor unopposed.
What this means for you: Cook and Black lead the council for a two-year mayoral term. Federation's Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected by the nine councillors, not directly by voters.
Source: The Border Mail — Cheryl Cook becomes first Corowa-area female mayor in 120 years
- Election
2024 council election results declared
The NSW Electoral Commission declared nine councillors elected for Federation Council on 1 October 2024, following the 14 September 2024 NSW local government elections: Derek Schoen, Andrew Kennedy, Cheryl Cook, David Bott, Rowena Black, Patrick Bourke, David Harrison, Richard Nixon and Susan Wearne.
What this means for you: These nine councillors now represent the whole Federation LGA (an undivided, single-ward council) for the 2024–2028 term. Full first-preference and distribution-of-preferences results are on the NSWEC's results site.
Source: NSW Electoral Commission — Federation councillor election results
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