Warrnambool City Council mayor Ben Blain is warning ratepayers to brace themselves as the state government’s Emergency Services Volunteer Fund becomes reality.
“This is a flawed levy that nobody wants, and which councils would rather not be collecting,” Cr Blain said.
“The Victorian government is making councils do its dirty work by collecting this unpopular tax.”
While some primary producers have a temporary reprieve, other residents and small businesses will be slugged with the levy.
This has already begun, with the mailing of rates notices having commenced.
Cr Blain is also the chair of the South West Victoria Alliance, which also opposes the levy.
The alliance is made up of community and local government advocates from the Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians and Warrnambool local government areas.
