A peak municipality body is taking steps to let ratepayers know exactly how much the Victorian government's Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy is costing them.
Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) said in a statement the ESVF was a new tax that councils were being required to collect on the state government’s behalf.
“The ESVF is expected to rip tens of millions of dollars out of rural municipalities alone, though the Victorian government has announced a series of exemptions for drought affected zones,” the statement said.
RCV has produced a guide rates notice template to help councils clearly show ratepayers which charges are actually Victorian government requirements.
The template was developed with input from individual member councils and has a new red box used to signify state government-imposed charges.
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The demonstration notice also includes words plainly explaining what the ESVF is.
Individual councils will be responsible for the final design of their rates notices.
RCV chair and Campaspe Shire councillor Rob Amos said it was disappointing that the government was forcing councils to collect the ‘unjust’ tax on its behalf.
“This is a rotten tax that should be scrapped,” Cr Amos said.
“Rural Councils Victoria will keep pushing for the ESVF's repeal.
“In the meantime, we want everybody to know just how much the Victorian government is slugging them.
