Horsham Region Hit Hard by Emergency Levy Hike
Horsham Rural City Council is deeply concerned about the Victorian Government’s decision to increase the Emergency Services Levy – a change that will hurt our municipality more than most.
Due to the high proportion of farming land in our total property base, Horsham Rural City Council ratepayers will see one of the highest percentage increases across the state.
The levy will raise an additional $3.26 million from our residents – an increase of more than 84 per cent.
All property owners, both rural and urban, will pay this levy increase via their council rates bills. However, forcing local governments to collect a Victorian Government tax is unfair.
Mayor Cr Ian Ross said that the increased levy was a staggering impost at a time when cost-of-living pressures were already weighing heavily on our community.
“Farmers, families, and small businesses should not be forced to foot the bill for decisions made in Spring Street when every extra dollar we send to Spring Steet is a dollar that can’t be spent in a local business or used to pay an employee,” he said.
The additional financial burden comes at a time when many are already struggling with rising costs.
“Let’s be clear: the $600 million projected to be raised in the levy’s first year is eerily close to the cost of cancelling the Commonwealth Games – a decision that left regional Victorians feeling overlooked and undervalued,” Cr Ross said.
“Enough is enough. Our residents should not be made to bear the burden of state cost shifting. I urge the Victorian Government and the Upper House to reconsider this legislation before it causes further damage to regional communities like ours,” he said.
https://www.hrcc.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/News-and-Media/Latest-News/emergency-services-levy-burden