Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj has welcomed the state government’s announcement that farmers in the region will pay a reduced Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) contribution due to drought, but has warned it is likely not enough.
Mayor Kontelj’s comments came on Friday (May 30) following an announcement from Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence and Treasurer and Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes.
Ms Symes said farmers in 24 drought-impacted local government areas would have their ESVF contribution capped to the same amount they paid in 2024-25 as part of the government’s Drought Package.
“By capping the rate of the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund for primary production properties, we’re ensuring farmers can remain fully focused on their drought response and recovery,” Ms Symes said.
Mayor Kontelj and other councillors have been outspoken about their opposition to the ESVF levy, saying that raising a new tax on communities in the middle of “an extreme cost of living crisis” would hit farmers badly.
“I welcome today’s news that the Victorian government has given some consideration to our advocacy around this unfair tax, which they are requiring us to collect on their behalf,” Mayor Kontelj said on Friday.
“I would like to see more information about what the exact concessions are that they are proposing, but anything that provides relief to our ratepayers during a cost of living crisis, and farmers during a challenging drought, is welcome.”
Analysis by City officers suggested the levy would cost the average residential Geelong ratepayers an extra $80 per year.
However, the hardest hit would be primary producers, who would face levy increases ranging from $1300 to $40,000. Industrial ratepayers would pay an average of $1643 next year, an increase of more than $500 from the year before.
“My concern is that many of our ratepayers, including drought-affected farmers, are still likely to be worse off under this tax, and I call on the Victorian government to abolish the levy in full,” Mayor Kontelj said.
