Mayor Garner Smith said he and his fellow councillors outrightly opposed the “unjustifiable levy” which will impact all landowners in the council.
“We must stand up for our community against this blatant cash grab,” he said.
“Many of our landowners have already been hit with massive increases in land tax, and this new tax is estimated to take millions of dollars away from our residents.
“This will have a flow-on effect on our local businesses and sectors, especially the agriculture sector.”
From July 1, the new levy will replace the Fire Services Property Levy, which has funded the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria since 2013 via council rates.
Both fire services will continue to receive funding from the new levy, along with VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, the State Control Centre and Emergency Recovery Victoria.
“All this levy will do is fund activities and organisations that have previously been funded out of general tax revenue,” Cr Smith said.
“The state government must show the people of Gannawarra how the money raised from this levy will flow back to our community.”
All landowners face an increase in annual municipal rates, including a 43 per cent increase for primary production landowners and a 66 per cent rise for industrial properties.
Local governments will be responsible for collecting the payment, which Cr Smith said would come at a huge administrative cost.
In opposition to the levy, the council is calling for the Municipal Association of Victoria and Rural Councils Victoria to investigate ways councils can avoid collecting the fund.
“It is important that our residents know that this decision has nothing to do with council,” Cr Smith said.
“My fellow councillors, council staff and I will take every opportunity to raise our objection to this levy with the state government on behalf of our community.”
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