Mayor ‘fired up’ on state’s impost

By John Van Klaveren
THE REGION’S councils will be forced to collect the new State Government fire services levy despite their objections.
The levy, expected to be around $140 for residential properties, will be included in municipal rate notices.
Geelong Mayor Cr John Mitchell said he objected to councils becoming the Government’s collection agency.
“Many people will look at the total on the rates notice and think it’s all going to council,” Cr Mitchell said.
“It’s confusing and I can understand why people think council is responsible because at the end of the day it’s still money out of their pocket.”
Cr Mitchell said he wanted it known the fire services levy was a state impost.
“I can understand why State Government chose this option – it’s an easy way for them to use us as a collection agency.
“It’s like the tip levy and the property revaluations. These are State Government responsibilities passed on to councils.”
Cr Mitchell conceded essential services had to be supported and adequately funded.
“Our essential services are vital, I have no issue with that. It’s just the way it’s collected.”
The new fire services levy will take effect from July 1 with a fixed amount of $100 for residential properties and $200 for commercial, industrial, farming and vacant properties.
A variable component, calculated as a percentage of the capital improved value of a property, will be set separately for Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire District areas.
Treasurer Kim Wells said the average levy for households in CFA areas was expected to reduce from $260 under the old system to $140.
He said the inequitable insurance-based levy would abolish cross subsidies between regional and metropolitan areas.
A concession scheme for pensioners will be introduced and a Fire Services Levy monitor, Prof Alan Fels, will oversee the system.