Six councils have banded together to oppose the state government’s proposed Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy.
City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe, Surf Coast Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Colac Otway Shire and Wyndham City councils met with Member for Western Victoria Sarah Mansfield to urge her to vote against the proposed levy.
Surf Coast Shire council members said the levy would significantly impact farmers and commercial ratepayers with huge increases in rates notices.
“Not only will this method place a heavy strain on council resources, it will no doubt also be seen by many ratepayers as a council fee, resulting in reputational damage,” mayor Mike Bodsworth said.
“The implementation of the ESVF represents a significant state tax reform that effectively doubles the levy, which will unduly impact regional ratepayers, particularly farmers, within our municipality,” councillor Joel Grist said.
If passed, the ESVF would replace the existing Fire Services Property Levy to fund emergency services, with councils concerned about where the money would go.
Borough of Queenscliffe mayor Di Rule said collecting the tax would be “a nightmare” for the local government’s administration and reputation.
“It’s a tax on ratepayers designed to support emergency services but we don’t know where it’s going to go,” she said.
“While Queenscliff doesn’t have farmers, we all know farmers and they are facing the biggest drought since 1967… It’s not our job to collect state government taxes; do your own dirty work.”
Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the proposed levy would see Greater Geelong, Surf Coast and Colac Otway Shire ratepayers paying close to $30 million extra on their rates notices.
“As councils, we’re here to benefit our local communities. We’re not a revenue collection service for the state government,” he said.
“We hope all members of the legislative council will take note of how this issue has brought so many different communities together with one voice and cast their vote accordingly.”
The controversial ESVF legislation has already passed Parliament of Victoria’s Lower House but required support from the opposition or six crossbench members to be introduced.
