Scrap The Tax
Published on 20 May 2025
Yarriambiack Shire Expresses Disappointment in Victorian Government Decision Regarding Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (SCRAP THE TAX)
Yarriambiack Shire Council is outraged at the Victorian Government plans to balance today’s budget at the expense of our residents who are facing drought and a cost-of-living crisis.
Mayor Zanker stated, “that although modifications were made to secure the passage of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund, they are considered an insult to our community”.
Mayor Zanker continued that “Farmers and primary producers who are experiencing drought will be exempt from paying the increased levy during the duration of the drought. Instead, they will continue to pay the existing Fire Services Levy”.
“How does the Government expect Council’s to administer this? It is now May, and with the new rates and charges to be struck and posted out to residents by mid-August how does the Government propose our software systems will be able to manage two separate levies?”, questioned Mayor Zanker.
“Whilst the government is promising funds for an implementation package to support Council’s, how quickly do they propose that the software providers can turn these changes around? Have they been consulted? “
Our small rural Shire operates with limited resources, and reallocating our staff time and efforts to administer an unjustifiable tax is absurd”, stated Mayor Zanker.
We have received assurances that no councils will be left carrying the debt resulting from failure of residents to pay the levy.
"I am not sure the Government comprehends the outrage of our community. We have had ratepayers contacting me, the Chief Executive Officer and the office staff, stating they will not pay their rates. This will impact our ability to deliver services and manage our cash flow. This will then further impact our residents”, stated Mayor Zanker.
Whilst the Treasurer has indicated she is willing to reduce the levy from 83c / $1000 of Capital Improved Value (CIV) to 71.3 / $1000 CIV for primary producers (to bring them in line with commercial and industrial) this new levy will still have a substantial impact on our primary producers.
“It is incomprehensible that the people who volunteer and provide their services in rural communities will be some of the hardest hit with this tax”, stated Mayor Zanker.
“I wish to commend our community who made the journey to Melbourne today to protest this absurd, unjust and discriminatory tax. As a Council we stand behind you”, concluded Mayor Zanker.
This tax will disproportionately affect rural landholders and the small businesses that depend on them.