The impact of the Emergency Services Tax will hit households with rate notices arriving this month.
The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, said that the Allan Labor Government’s underhanded tax grab will hit country Victorians the hardest, ripping millions of dollars out of households with little regard for rising cost-of-living pressures already felt across rural communities.
What the Government is calling a “reform” under the new model, all property owners in the Shepparton District are being charged more based on their property’s value, regardless of their ability to pay.
For rural families already struggling with rising rates, insurances, fuel, and grocery bills, the new levy is being described as a “tipping point”.
“This isn’t about funding emergency services, it’s about shifting costs onto country communities to play state budget holes.
Whilst our community and businesses are trying to rebuild following the impact of COVID, the 2022 floods and drought, they are hit with ongoing increased taxes and cost.
“Many are bracing for the impact with some experiencing doubling of their bill that they simply cannot afford”, Ms O’Keeffe said.
Shepparton District landholders are expected to contribute over $4.7 million more under the new levy compared to the previous system, placing a heavier burden on local households and businesses.
The local council has projected that approximately 50 per cent more revenue will now be collected from ratepayers through the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) than was previously taken under the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL).
“Beyond the numbers, the true cost of the ESVF may be its long-term impact on regional trust and resilience.
“When working families, retirees and farmers feel ignored, exploited or overtaxed, it weakens the social fabric that binds regions like the Shepparton District.
“The regional view is clear, the ESVF is not a reform driven by conditions on the ground, but rather a statewide revenue exercise that fails to acknowledge the unique pressures and contributions of country communities.
“We cannot stress on how fundamentally wrong this tax is and under a Liberals and Nationals Government, this tax will be scrapped.
“Once again, the Allan Labor Government has proven it can’t manage money, can’t manage the cost of living and now regional Victorians are being forced to pay the price.”
