Six local councils joined forces to oppose the Victorian Government's proposed Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy.
The councils met with Upper House Member for Western Victoria, Sarah Mansfield MLC, to voice their concerns and urge her to vote against the State Government's proposed new tax, which will hit ratepayers with huge increases on their rates notice.
The controversial Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) legislation, which will significantly impact farmers and commercial ratepayers, has already passed the Lower House, and requires the support of the opposition or six members of the crossbench to pass.
If passed, the ESVF replaces the existing Fire Services Property Levy, and would, as an example, see ratepayers in Greater Geelong, Surf Coast and Colac Otway Shires alone pay almost $30 million extra on their rates notices.
The levy proposes to fund vital emergency services, however it is not clear where the money will go, and councils are concerned about the crippling impact on ratepayers and are also objecting to being the state government's tax collectors.
This week's meeting saw Colac Otway Shire Mayor Jason Schram, Golden Plains Shire Acting Mayor Helena Kirby and acting chief executive Steve Sagona, Surf Coast Shire Mayor Mike Bodsworth and chief executive Robyn Seymour, Borough of Queenscliffe Mayor Di Rule and chief executive Martin Gill, and Wyndham City chief executive Stephen Wall come together to advocate collectively alongside City of Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM, chief executive Ali Wastie, and advocate and Ararat Rural City Councillor Rob Armstrong.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM said the meeting demonstrated the united front across the region's councils in the fight against the new tax on behalf of our communities.
"We've brought together councils covering Werribee to Colac and Apollo Bay to Queenscliff and everywhere in between to collectively oppose this unfair levy," Mayor Kontelj 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.
"As councils, we're here to benefit our local communities - we're not a revenue collection service for the Victorian Government."
Surf Coast Mayor Mike Bodsworth called on Ms Mansfield to vote against the levy.
"I hope you stand strong with us and our community," Mayor Bodsworth said.
"Many primary producers are already under financial pressure at the moment due to the drought, and expecting them to bear an increased cost like this is really unfair.
"Our community is against this levy, and there is broad agreement across councils that it should be scrapped.
"By having councils collect the levy on its behalf, the state is protecting its own reputation at councils' expense – because there's no doubt this will widely be seen as an extra council fee."
Golden Plains Shire acting Mayor Helena Kirby said the organisation had heard of the first-hand impacts of the levy.
"We have had farmers meeting around the Shire, and this is impacting them badly," Acting Mayor Kirby said.
"It's impacting families and children who might play sport; parents have to find the money from somewhere, and the children miss out.
"Farmers put food on our tables, and we send food overseas.
"We should be concerned about the risk of suicide, and we need to look after them.
"This will impact our residents socially, mentally and physically; it's one of the most important decisions the Greens will have to make."
Colac Otway Mayor Jason Schram pointed to the significant cost increase for ratepayers.
"Farmers who paid $1800 this year will pay $10,000 if the ESVF goes through the Upper House and they can't pay it," Mayor Schram said.
"I have spoken to farmers who say they won't pay it.
"Drought or no drought, our farmers are struggling; people are talking of suicide because of the hardship."
Borough of Queenscliffe Mayor Di Rule said the levy would be difficult for local governments to collect.
"It's a tax on ratepayers designed to support emergency services but we don't know where it's going to go," Mayor Rule said.
"And while Queenscliffe doesn't have farmers, we all know farmers and they are facing the biggest drought since 1967.
"For Local Government it will be a nightmare to collect this tax; the administration and our reputation.
"It's not our job to collect State Government taxes.
"Do your own dirty work."
Wyndham City chief executive Stephen Wall said the levy would have a 'dire' impact on mortgage stress.
"It's an important issue and we agree with all the comments made by the elected representatives present," Mr Wall said.
"Wyndham is the fastest growing municipality in the country, our residents' average age is 32, and we have young families and first home owners already under mortgage stress.
"This increase in levy will have a dire impact.
"Werribee South is an important food bowl for Victoria, and our market gardens are already under immense financial pressure with the cost of water, fertilisers and farm maintenance.
"More tax on primary production could mean the end for many of them.
"Residents can't distinguish between what is a state levy or council rate on their rates notice, and Council will wear the brunt of the complaints and dealing with financial hardship claims.
"An increased tax on home owners in a housing crisis makes no sense."
