16/05/2025
Hi all, this is important information. You need to be aware of this levy that the State Government is imposing, the impact it will have, the fact that Councils will bare the cost of administering it and, probably, a lot of flack from rate payers.
Councils are pushing back on the continual cost shifting of the Victorian Government and calling them out.
A kick in the guts
Proudly representing the Mildura region at the Municipal Association of Victoria's (MAV) state council meeting today with a ‘hell no’ response, from Victorian Local Government Councils, to the State Governments new Emergency Service and Volunteers Fund.
Whilst I have no issue with properly funding the State Emergency Service (SES), the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) these services should be paid from our taxes, not from a further impost on ratepayers.
Despite strong opposition from farmers and emergency service volunteers, everyone will pay for this unfair new levy, (aka tax), with our farmers set to be hit the hardest.
- btw kudos to the Mallee farmers who staked out parliament house yesterday protesting on the steps as the decision was made inside.
In addition to the financial burden on residents and farmers, the new system will increase costs for Council — both as a landowner and as the designated collection agency for the fund.
And the state government have covered all bases because apparently even if a ratepayer chooses to withhold the new tax component the law states that whatever the amount paid it will be allocated proportionally towards rates and the new tax.
Here at the MAV State Council meeting, Local Government is pushing back arguing that residents are already struggling with cost-of-living pressures and vehemently expressing disgust about this new tax that will unfairly slug country people, who by the way, are often the first to respond as volunteers when there is an emergency.
Essentially, it’s just another disappointing example of government revenue raising and cost shifting to local councils and ratepayers.
Set to be implemented on July 1 we will do everything in our power to protest against this tax via local government organisations (MAV, ALGA, VLGA) and advocacy channels including our membership of Regional Cities Victoria group and Murray River Group of Councils.
