UPDATE: A Corowa business owner has publicly condemned the Federation Council for leaving her in the dark for over five years regarding her property rezoning application. Jacqui Wemyss voiced her frustrations during a council meeting on October 4, 2023, criticizing the council’s lack of communication and responsiveness.
Wemyss, who runs Aricks Australia, a disc seeder parts company employing 13 people, detailed her ongoing struggles in a heartfelt address. Her planning application to rezone two properties from rural to residential began in 2020, yet she claims to have received only one unsolicited response from the council in a decade.
Her grievances come in light of a recent Federation Council Facebook post revealing that they handled 2,485 customer service inquiries in 2024-25, with 71% resolved within ten days. Wemyss’s experience starkly contrasts this claim, highlighting a significant communication gap.
“I am none the wiser today as to my application,” Wemyss stated, adding that emails went unanswered and consultations were abruptly halted. Her application journey has been riddled with obstacles, leading her to demand greater transparency in the council’s customer service processes.
In a letter dated September 25, Wemyss emphasized her frustration over making more than 30 written or verbal submissions to the council, yet receiving minimal feedback. “This track record stands in stark contrast to the glowing image projected online,” she lamented.
Her concerns reached beyond the council meeting; she also sought assistance from Albury MP Justin Clancy in late 2023, who promptly returned her call but did not resolve the ongoing issues.
Wemyss’s call for action resonated with Councillor David Bott, who acknowledged her experience as indicative of the council’s communication failings. “We’re severely lacking at the moment in responding to people,” Bott remarked after the meeting. He stressed the importance of upper management holding staff accountable to the customer service charter.
Wemyss’s plea for a more accountable and transparent customer service system underscores a growing sentiment among community members who feel unheard. “I really, really believe that people feel that they are not being heard,” she stated, highlighting the animosity brewing between the community and the council due to these ongoing frustrations.
As this story develops, all eyes will be on how the Federation Council addresses these critical issues and whether it can restore trust with its constituents. Community members are urged to stay informed as Wemyss continues to advocate for change in the council’s approach to customer service.
