The Macedon Ranges community is responding after the controversial Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Levy (ESVF) passed through Victorian parliament.
The levy, which will come into effect from July 1, will result in increases across the board for property owners.
Macedon Ranges mayor Dom Bonanno said council was very disappointed to see that the bill passed parliament.
“The ESVF Levy will have a significant negative financial impact on the Macedon Ranges community, in particular the farming and businesses sectors,” he said.
“Council acknowledges the late inclusion of a small reduction to the variable rate for Primary Production Land, however it will have a minimal positive impact on the sector and on average would still deliver an average increase of more than 130 per cent (or about $1640 per property) in the Macedon Ranges.”
Cr Bonanno said farmers are already hurting, with more local government areas added to the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant Program due to the ongoing dry conditions.
“Unfortunately, Loddon Campaspe LGAs like the Macedon Ranges have not yet been included in that drought support, but our farmers remain under significant pressure due to those ongoing dry conditions,” he said.
“Council encourages Agriculture Victoria to assess the very dry conditions throughout the Macedon Ranges and make the necessary declarations as soon as possible.”
From the new levy, commercial and industrial businesses can expect an increase of $726 (75 per cent) and $440 (49 per cent) per assessment respectively.
The average resident property owner can also expect to see rises of $86 (41 per cent).
“In addition to the significant increases that most sectors of our community will experience from the introduction of the new ESVF Levy, we expect there will be a substantial additional burden on council administration in managing – and enforcing – this new process,” Cr Bonanno said.
Cr Bonanno said the new levy will be further discussed at the May council meeting.
