Cr Daria Kellander
Times are tough at the moment with the cost-of-living crisis providing challenges for families, residents and businesses right across Hobsons Bay, the state and the country.
As a wife, a working mum and ratepayer, I understand the challenges facing our community.
It has become difficult for many residents to get by, and that’s why I struggle to understand the state government’s recent decision to lump a new tax onto all ratepayers.
Their recent announcement to double the existing Fire Services Levy and rebrand it as the Emergency Services Volunteers Fund is extremely concerning on many levels.
I wish to make it extremely clear from the outset that I fully support the hard work of our emergency services volunteers and agencies that help keep Victorians safe during disasters and times of crisis.
But the state government’s expansion and hike of this fee is problematic.
Our early estimates predict significant increases for many of our ratepayers, with the average Hobsons Bay homeowner expected to experience a fee increase of upwards of $90.00.
We as a council, like all councils in Victoria, are burdened with the role as de-facto tax collector, and we have not been provided with any choice on this matter.
This state government tax is a cash-grabbing exercise by a cash-strapped Victorian Government, dressed up as support for our emergency services volunteers.
While we fully support funding emergency services, shifting the collection responsibility onto local government is not the right approach.
The lack of communication, unrealistic deadlines, and increased administrative and financial pressures on councils, without additional resources, is deeply troubling.
While there mightn’t be much that we can do about this as a Council, we will continue to make our voice heard, and the voices of our residents heard.
I will be writing to the Victorian Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Local Government outlining our concerns and welcome any opportunity to discuss this further.
And I’d encourage all our community to also voice their concerns and hold the government accountable for providing better support during this cost-of-living crisis, rather than making things more difficult.
