Swan Hill Rural City Council is calling for an urgent review of the proposed Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).
Council says this change would hit pensioners, farmers, and rural landholders hard, right when they’re already feeling the pinch.
Under the current proposal, primary production properties could face a 125% increase in charges, and council says that’s simply not sustainable.
They’re calling on the Victorian Government to pause and rethink this legislation, and work with local councils and communities on a fairer solution.
Council will continue to work with Rural Council Victoria to advocate against the increased state levy, emphasising that the State Revenue Office (SRO) should be responsible for recovering these charges, not Local Government.
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