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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Federation Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
2026 Federation Community Expo - Connecting Our Community
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
2026 Community Satisfaction Survey underway!
Have your say →
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
16 updatesAuto-collected from Federation Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
Media Policy and Protocols
Media Policy and Protocols
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
No Wipes Down the Pipes
Published on 08 September 2026 Federation Council has officially launched its "No Wipes Down the Pipes" campaign, urging residents to protect local sewer systems and prevent costly blockages.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
News & Media Enquiries
News & Media Enquiries
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
2026 Community Satisfaction Survey underway!
Council is launching its Community Satisfaction Survey to capture your feedback on local services, facilities and your satisfaction on Council’s performance.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Election
Council launches advocacy campaign ahead of 2027 NSW State Election
Published on 03 September 2026 Federation Council has formally adopted its strategic advocacy agenda, establishing the Federation Council Advocacy Statement to the NSW Government to secure critical state funding and backing of major regional projects.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
North of the Murray destination brand soars
Published on 03 September 2026 Federation Council’s regional tourism strategy has reached new heights, with the Corowa Visitor Information Centre (VIC) officially securing its re-accreditation for 2026/27 alongside record-breaking digital engagement across the North of the Murray (NOTM) tourism brand.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Youth Council presents Halloween Party and Disco
Published on 08 September 2026 Calling all ghosts, ghouls, and party monsters! Federation Youth Council is brewing up the ultimate spooky celebration this Halloween, Saturday 31 October.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Get ready to drop in: Corowa Skate event & Mural launch
Published on 03 September 2026 Dust off your decks, tune up your scooters, and pump your BMX tires and come down to the Corowa Skate Park on Friday, September 25 from 4 pm to 6 pm.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Shed | 28 Victoria Street Howlong
To provide the Development Application plans that relate to this application.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
2026 Federation Community Expo - Connecting Our Community
The Federation & Surrounds Interagency Working Group, in partnership with Federation Council, is proud to announce the return of the Federation Community Expo. After a massive success in 2023, we are bringing the region's vital services, social groups, and organisations back to Bangerang Park in Corowa.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Shed | 144 Church Street Corowa
To provide the Development Application plans that relate to this application.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Shed | 24 Wanani Road Mulwala
To provide the Development Application plans that relate to this application.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Council presents delivery program progress report & operational plan
Published on 03 September 2026 Federation Council has formally reviewed and noted its Delivery Program Progress Report (1 January to 30 June 2026), highlighting strong progress on key community infrastructure and core services while ensuring full operational transparency.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- 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
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Federation Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.