Reaching a council resolution at its meeting on Monday, October 20, council is now calling for the levy’s full repeal.
The council argues the levy places an unfair burden on ratepayers, particularly affecting rural and farming communities, who are already facing significant economic challenges.
“This is a tax our community cannot afford,” Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said.
“While we support our emergency services, the funding model must be fair.
“The current levy punishes the very people who are already struggling – particularly our farmers and rural families who are facing drought, inflation and increasing input costs.”
Under the current structure, residential ratepayers face a 35 per cent increase, while commercial properties will see a 70 per cent rise.
Primary producers are hit hardest with increases of up to 150 per cent, based on capital improved value, despite a one-year pause on levy increases announced by the Victorian Government.
“Council should not be used as a tax collector for the state,” Cr Dougall said.
“We’re calling for this levy to be removed from households and farmers altogether.”
Council plans to write to Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes, formally requesting the removal of the levy.
It will also continue to support the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Hume Regional Local Government Network in their advocacy on the matter.
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