The Bendigo Council has stepped up its fight against what many are calling an obscene tax grab — the Victorian Government’s Emergency Services Property Levy. This $5.14 billion levy is causing widespread concern among residents, local governments, and community leaders who believe it unfairly burdens families and small businesses.
At the forefront of this battle, council representatives and local leaders, including Central Victorian mayors, are demanding that the state government reconsider this levy’s implementation. Peter Marshall, Secretary of the United Firefighters Union, has voiced strong criticism, calling the levy an unjustified financial strain that turns councils into revenue collectors instead of community champions.
The Emergency Services Property Levy was intended to fund vital emergency services, but its current structure threatens to undermine local economies and community wellbeing. Bendigo Council is calling on residents and stakeholders to join the movement to push back against this unfair tax.
What Can You Do?
- Stay informed by following local news and council updates.
- Join public forums and community meetings.
- Contact your local representatives to express your concerns
- Raise public awareness and sign up to say not in our name – help stop the tax grab
Together, we can ensure that emergency services are funded fairly — without punishing those who work hard to keep our communities safe and thriving.
For the detailed coverage and full context of the issue, see the original article: “Emergency services tax rebate: CFA and VicSES volunteers miss out” at Weekly Times Now
