The City of Greater Bendigo had a presence at a summit organised to oppose the state government’s emergency services fund, while one regional council has vowed to “step up its battle” against the levy.
Mayor Andrea Metcalf and Cr Owen Cosgriff attended the local government summit in Melbourne on Saturday, July 26 , where 22 councils discussed concerns with the state government’s $5.14 billion emergency services and volunteers fund (ESVF).
The fund has been labelled a “tax grab” which local councils will be forced to collect.
Crs Metcalf and Cosgriff did not comment on the meeting, however a spokesperson for the City of Greater Bendigo said the city’s position remained the same as of June 6.
“In particular, the City of Greater Bendigo acknowledges the deep disappointment and concern of our community, including our farming community, regarding the introduction of the ESVF, under which it has been reported farmers will pay many thousands of dollars more in comparison to the FSPL (Fire Services Property Levy),” the city said in a statement on June 6.
“The city cannot choose not to collect the levy. It is a legislative requirement, with the city effectively acting as a collection agency for the Victorian government.”
‘Keep the pressure on’
Meanwhile, the Loddon Shire Council has vowed to take its opposition of the ESVF to the Municipal Association of Victoria’s state council meeting in October.
“MAV has done a lot of work in relation to what Loddon Shire and other municipalities have been pushing for,” Loddon mayor Cr Dan Straub said.
“We need to keep the pressure on and our peak body is the best way to do this.”
