Canterbury Bankstown ratepayers escape footing $400,000 levy

The NSW Government has changed its mind about charging Canterbury Bankstown Council for an increase in its emergency services levy, saving it $400,00 for the financial year.

The purpose of the additional levy is to cover firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer. Picture: Darren Pateman

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Canterbury Bankstown Council and rate payers will not have to foot the extra $440,000 to fund the increase in emergency services levy after the NSW Government bowed down to demands to pay for it.

The government backflipped on Tuesday, saying they will now absorb the full cost of $13.6 million this financial year, to ease the pressure on the 128 councils.

Mayor Khal Asfour said the government’s decision is a win for common sense because his council had been hit with a 10 per cent increase from the previous year.

Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour: Win for common sense.

“I welcome the news the NSW Government has listened to my plea for it to absorb its $13.6 million increase in the Emergency Services Levy, which would have cost Canterbury Bankstown ratepayers alone $440,000 this financial year,” Mayor Asfour said.

“It’s a victory for common sense … we now won’t be forced to cut services and I look forward to further discussions on how any proposed increase can be responsibly considered.”

Acting Premier and Regional NSW Minister John Barilaro acknowledged the additional cost presented challenges for councils, specially those badly affected by the drought.

“That’s why the government will fund the $13.6 million to cover the additional levy costs to

support firefighters who develop cancer, to alleviate the immediate pressure on local councils,” he said.

In May, Canterbury Bankstown Council was sent a bill for $4,510,467 for their emergency services levy contribution — $439,997 more than last year’s amount.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro. Picture: Mick Tsikas

The additional charge infuriated Mayor Asfour who said it would impact on local services.

“Let’s be clear, this is not about our emergency services. they do a great job and we know how important they are,” he said.

“This is about this government managing its own budget, not cost shifting yet another blowout onto councils.

“Seriously, this would be a joke if it wasn’t so serious, we now have a six figure hole in our budget.”

Mr Barilaro said: “Our emergency services have long been funded through a cost sharing arrangement between insurers, councils and the government.

“It’s important that this continues and we look after the health and wellbeing of our frontline firefighters.”

Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock said the government has listened to the concerns of the councils.

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“We acknowledge that many councils had already developed and approved their 2019-20 Budgets before the invoices for the increased emergency services levy were issued and this has caused some angst,” Mrs Hancock said.

Emergency Services Minister David Elliott said the new laws enable eligible firefighters diagnosed with one of 12 cancers to automatically be presumed to have acquired that cancer because of their firefighting work.

“These changes will ensure current and former firefighters — both volunteer and paid — who

need care and support receive their entitlements immediately,” he said.