MOORABOOL residents will fork out an extra $100 a year on their council rates to help fund Victoria’s firefighting services under one of the biggest shake-ups of state taxes in decades.
From July next year, the fire service levy will comprise a fixed component of $100 for residential properties and $200 for commercial, industrial, farming and vacant properties.
There will also be a variable charge, calculated as a percentage of the capital improved value of a property. Pensioners and veterans will get a $50 concession per household.
Mayor Pat Griffin said he had concerns with the government directing councils to collect revenue on its behalf.
He called for more information on how the new levy would work.
“Our issue is if it was considered unfair for insurance companies to collect this money on behalf of the state government, then why is it OK for council?” Cr Griffin said.
“The MAV [Municipal Association of Victoria] state council was very clear on this issue — local councils don’t want to bill property owners for the levy.”
A spokesman for Treasurer Kim Wells said the levy was an important recommendation of the Bushfires Royal Commission.
“The decision to remove the fire services levy from insurance premiums will encourage more people to insure,” he said.
“The new levy has been designed to enable local councils to use their existing rates collection processes and notices to collect the levy on behalf of the government.”
Bacchus Marsh resident John Spain said he was concerned how the levy would affect ratepayers on a limited income.
