ALPINE Shire Council has re-affirmed its concerns and opposition to the government's Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) after the Victorian Treasurer wrongly told the Victorian Parliament that council was supportive of the new ESVF.
Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, wrote to Treasurer Jaclyn Symes, on behalf of council, councillors, residents and ratepayers last week to clarify the shire's position on the ESVF, set to replace the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) on 1 July this year.
Treasurer Symes told parliament this month that Alpine Shire Council supported the tax, but was forced to admit she was mistaken when questioned by Liberal MP Bev McArthur, who was contacted by Mayor Nicholas to clarify council was opposed to the tax and its forced collection of it for the Victorian government.
In her letter to Treasurer Symes last week, Mayor Nicholas wrote:
"The impact on both rural councils and rural communities in implementing the ESVF will be significant, with the increase removing an estimated additional $2M/annum from the local (Alpine Shire) economy, with a disproportionate impact on farming and commercial properties.
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"This significant increase comes at a time when communities can least afford to accommodate it.
"This will impact rural communities in particular, and we predict there will be a rise in families and farmers experiencing hardship due to the increased cost which will be placed on their rates notice.
"In addition, the burden of both administration, and community engagement falls on council with the increased associated costs and the reputational risks.
"Although we appreciate that we have been advised that the state will assist with the resourcing burden, a few weeks out from the proposed implementation date, we are still yet to know what these assistance arrangements might be.
"We understand the importance our emergency services play in the safety and wellbeing of our community, however we question the validity on placing the burden for financially resourcing these services onto ratepayers and urge you to reconsider and find a fairer funding alternative."
