UPDATE: A frustrated business owner in Corowa has voiced her discontent with the Federation Council after waiting over five years for a response regarding her property rezoning application. Jacqui Wemyss, who owns Aricks Australia, publicly addressed the council during a meeting on October 2, 2023, highlighting her struggles in navigating local government communication.
Wemyss’s grievances follow a Facebook post by the Federation Council on August 7, showcasing their customer service statistics for the fiscal year 2024-25. The council reported receiving 2,485 customer inquiries, with 71% addressed within ten days. However, Wemyss criticized their claims, noting her own experience of having sent over 30 written and verbal submissions over the past decade, with only one unsolicited response received.
“I am none the wiser today as to my application, and I’ve never received further information or a formal letter some five years on,” Wemyss stated during the public forum. Her application to rezone two properties from rural to residential, initiated in 2020, has become a source of significant frustration, marked by unreturned emails and a lack of communication from council officials.
In her appeal for better transparency, Wemyss emphasized the need for a more accountable customer service system within the Federation Council. “I really believe that people feel they are not being heard,” she asserted. Wemyss’s concerns reflect a broader sentiment in the community, contributing to rising animosity towards local governance.
Albury MP Justin Clancy also engaged with Wemyss regarding her issues with the council’s communication approach. Following the meeting, Councillor David Bott echoed Wemyss’s frustrations, revealing that her experience illustrates the council’s current failures in timely responses to residents. “We’re severely lacking at the moment in responding to people,” Bott remarked. “I don’t believe the staff are being held to account by management to ensure they do get back to residents in a timely manner.”
As the situation develops, residents of Corowa and local businesses are watching closely for changes in how the Federation Council addresses community inquiries. Wemyss’s call for action may serve as a catalyst for reform, emphasizing the critical need for a more responsive and transparent local government system.
The ongoing public outcry over customer service deficiencies highlights an urgent need for the Federation Council to enhance its accountability measures. As residents await a response, the pressure is mounting on local officials to prioritize effective communication and address long-standing concerns.
