Hobsons Bay council has confirmed it is reviewing its legal advice in regards to state government’s new emergency services levy.
From July 1 local councils will be forced to collect an increased levy from ratepayers to cover the cost of fire service services, the State Emergency Service (VICSES), triple-0 and the state control centre under legislation that passed state parliament last month.
The new emergency services levy replaces the cheaper fire services levy and has been met with fierce opposition from local council’s, including Hobsons Bay, who feel they are being forced into collecting a state government tax.
Yarra mayor Stephen Jolly has been the most vocal opponent of the levy and is backing a motion calling on his council to seek legal advice on a possible boycott or court challenge.
Cr Jolly’s motion, which also calls on Yarra to approach other council’s about joining a collective campaign against the levy, was debated at a meeting on June 17.
During an interview on ABC Radio Melbourne on Tuesday, June 10, Cr Jolly said Hobsons Bay had expressed interest in joining the campaign.
“We’ve already had communication with other councils for example Hobsons Bay and various others who want to be in on this with us,” Cr Jolly said.
In a statement to Star Weekly, Hobsons Bay mayor Daria Kellander didn’t deny having discussions with Yarra council and said Hobsons Bay was considering its options.
“Council is currently reviewing legal advice and determining next steps,” said Cr Kellander who reiterated Hobsons Bay’s opposition to the levy.
“We oppose this state government mandate, and the role councils are now forced to play as de-facto tax collectors,” she said.
“We’ve raised our concerns with Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes, particularly regarding the rushed timeline and pressure that administering this tax collection will put councils under.
“We continue to support the Municipal Association of Victoria’s sector-wide advocacy on this issue.”
A spokesperson for the state government said the levy was introduced originally by the a Liberal state government and had been collected by local councils for years.
“It is collected in the rates notices that councils already send out annually,” the spokesperson said.
