Federation Council has approved the allocation of up to $638,811 for crucial repair and flood-proofing works at the Corowa Civic Centre and Civic Bowls Club, following the November 2022 flood event. The decision, made at September's council meeting, also authorises the General Manager to proceed with a competitive tender for the project.
The funding will be acquitted from the remaining balance of the Council's insurance claim, which currently has $797,758 remaining under the flood limit.
The scope of work is designed not only to repair damage but also to flood-proof the facilities, aligning with advice from the insurer.
Key components of the approved works include:
Corowa Civic Centre: Permanently abandoning the flood-prone basement and reinstating amenities on the first floor to mitigate future flood damage. This part of the project is estimated to cost $448,495.
Civic Bowls Club: Replacing the lost outdoor umpires box with a new, enclosed office located inside the clubroom for administrative and registration duties, following consultation with the Bowls Committee. This work is estimated at $55,000.
Federation Council Mayor, Cr Cheryl Cook, said this is a significant milestone in the ongoing flood recovery effort.
"The recovery from the 2022 floods has been a challenging, but necessary, journey for our Council and our community," Mayor Cook said.
"Approving this expenditure and moving to tender is a massive step forward for Corowa. We're not just fixing the damage; we're actively making our key community assets, like the Civic Centre and the Bowls Club, more resilient against future flood events."
Mayor Cook also noted the importance of community input.
"We've worked closely with the Civic Bowls Committee, and their request for an internal office instead of reinstating the flood-damaged umpires box is a great example of smart, practical flood-proofing that directly benefits the users of the facility. This project is about building back better and smarter."
The Council is seeking to allocate a maximum of $638,811 in the 2025/26 Budget, with the project costs to be reimbursed by the insurer once a tender is awarded or invoices are submitted. This process is essential as the insurer requires the submission of a tender or invoices for payment.
The current insurance claim process has been complicated, and the Council's flood cover is sub-limited to $2.25 million, with an excess of $250,000. The Council has also utilised $541,969 from the NSW Severe Weather & Flood Grant to repair other flood-damaged assets, which helped manage the financial load on the insurance claim.
Mayor Cook said Council staff have navigated a complex insurance process to get to this point.
"We have the funding available under our claim, and by moving ahead with the tender, we are ensuring these vital community projects are delivered, enhancing the functionality and longevity of our assets for the entire Federation Council area," she said.
"I would like to commend the staff involved and I look forward to seeing these works complete.
Further updates on the tender process will be provided to the community in due course.
