Geelong mayor urges Jacinta Allan to ditch new fire services levy
Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj has written to Premier Jacinta Allan urging her to abandon a controversial new fire levy that he claims will cost farmers an extra $1750 a year.
Geelong
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Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj has written to Premier Jacinta Allan urging her to abandon a controversial new tax that he alleges will cost farmers an extra $1750 a year.
It comes after Mr Kontelj declared that council would lobby members of the upper house to stop the tax from being introduced.
The proposed Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, which is on track to replace the Fire Services Property Levy on June 1, will result in Geelong residents coughing up more than $55,000 in 2025-26 — almost $20,000 extra from last financial year.
The extra money will go towards supporting the State Emergency Service (SES), Forest Fire Management Victoria, and the State Control Centre.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) are also included in the fund.
On Tuesday night, Mr Kontelj said the state government was treating councils like “collection agencies” and that locals did not deserve to be hit with more expenses.
“We advocate on behalf of our community for this tax to be abandoned, in recognition of its significant financial impact on residents and businesses,” he said.
“Our ratepayers cannot bear these additional taxes, especially at a time when cost of living has never been so high.”
Geelong council claim primary producers will cop a $2800 bill; industrial ratepayers slugged more than $1600 bill; and residents forced to hand over $80 each.
However, a state government spokesman said that farmers would only pay $13.
Mr Kontelj implored others to protest the proposed changes.
“We encourage ratepayers to join our advocacy, contact their local MPs and share their views on this expanded tax.”
The letter comes not long after the city chief called on the federal government to reverse funding changes to aged care.
Amendments to the Aged Care Act to be implemented from July 1 will put council in a “difficult position”, Mr Kontelj said.
“Council will be required to find several millions of dollars per annum out of operations to subsidise the ongoing provision of aged care services.”
Mr Kontelj said the changes would go against the wishes of the community.
“We’ve heard loud and clear about how much they value our in-home community care service,” he said.
“We agree – that’s why we’re calling on the Commonwealth Government to commit to aged care by providing the additional funding.”
Earlier this month, Geelong council were slammed by industry unions and local MPS for planning to cut up to 300 aged care jobs.
The future of the in-home community care service is still uncertain, with a decision to be made once consultations finish.
Originally published as Geelong mayor urges Jacinta Allan to ditch new fire services levy
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