Colac Otway mayor says fire service levy will put farmers mental health at risk

Councils from across southwest Victoria have come together to advocate against a controversial proposal that they claim will cost ratepayers up to $30m.

Surf Coast chief executive Robyn Seymour, Queenscliffe mayor Di Rule, Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj, upper house MP Sarah Mansfield, Surf Coast mayor Mike Bodsworth, Colac Otway mayor Jason Schram, and Geelong council chief executive Ali Wastie. Picture: Supplied

Colac Otway mayor Jason Schram has slammed a proposed state government tax, saying the financial burden could increase the rate of suicides amongst already struggling farmers.

It comes a week after Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj wrote to Premier Jacinta Allan urging her to not to implement the emergency services and volunteers fund set to take effect in July.

Mr Schram claimed primary producers in his jurisdiction will be stung up to $10,000 by the new tax and warned there could be mass protests.

“They are struggling; people are talking of suicide because of the hardship,” he said.

“I have spoken to farmers who say they won’t pay it.”

Mr Schram is one of six mayors who have joined forces to fight the controversial fire services levy proposal.

The coalition of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Queenscliffe, Colac Otway, Golden Plains, and Wyndham councils say it will cost their ratepayers an extra $30m a year.

Colac Otway mayor Jason Schram says the tax will financially decimate farmers. Picture: Dannika Bonser

On Thursday, the group met with upper house member for Western Victoria Sarah Mansfield to voice their concern on the matter.

Ms Mansfield has a key hand in the fate of the fund — the support of upper house crossbenchers like her will determine if it becomes law or not.

The Greens member was lobbied by the group to vote against the legislation, which they claim will have a “crippling” financial impact on the region’s farmers and business owners.

Costings conducted by Geelong council revealed that, on average, primary producers will be forced to cough up more than $2800 in the next financial year — an annual increase of $1750.

Surf Coast mayor Mike Bodsworth said farmers could not afford more economic strain.

“Many primary producers are already under financial pressure at the moment due to the drought, and expecting them to bear an increased cost like this is really unfair,” he said.

The council alliance have lobbied member for Western Victoria Sarah Mansfield to vote against the proposed tax. Picture: Alan Barber

“Our community is against this levy, and there is broad agreement across councils that it should be scrapped.”

Queenscliffe mayor Di Rule said the responsibility was unfair and the process would be a “nightmare.”

“It’s not our job to collect state government taxes … Do your own dirty work.”

Geelong council data also indicates that business owners will be slugged an average of $1600 a year — an increase of more than $500 from the 2024 financial year.

Originally published as Colac Otway mayor says fire service levy will put farmers mental health at risk