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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.

Area profile
Population: ~13,075
Mayor & councillors
Mayor: Cheryl Cook
Crime & safety
10 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Budget & finances
Meets 5 of 9 OLG benchmarks (2023–24)
The Federation council area (official LGA boundary). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Everyday essentials

The things people actually need from the council — fast.

Bins & recycling

When's my bin day?

Your collection days and what goes in each bin.

Check bin day →Report a problem

Something needs fixing?

Potholes, dumped rubbish, broken lights — how to report it to Federation.

How to report →

Open for your feedback

See all →

Things Federation Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.

Get to know your council

The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.

Rates & fees

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 & finances

How financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.

Meets 5 of 9 OLG benchmarks (2023–24)

Open →Crime & safety

Federation's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.

10 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate

Open →Mayor & councillors

Who represents you — and where to read their official profiles.

Mayor: Cheryl Cook

Open →Elections & voting

When the next council election is, and how voting works.

Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028

Open →Contact & services

How to reach the council and report a problem.

Customer service: (02) 6033 8999

Open →Area profile

The basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.

Population: ~13,075

Open →
What the council is working onRecent deliveries, what's underway and what's planned next — each with a source.Priorities →

What's happening

33 updates

Auto-collected from Federation Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).

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.