‘Name and shame’ rates notice

RCV has produced a guide rate notice template to help councils clearly show ratepayers which charges are Victorian Government requirements.

In the template, which has been developed with input from individual member councils, a new red box is used to signify Victorian Government-imposed charges.

The demonstration notice also includes words plainly explaining what the ESVF is.

The ESVF is expected to rip tens of millions of dollars out of rural municipalities alone, though the Victorian Government has announced a series of exemptions for drought affected zones.

Individual councils are responsible for the final design of their rates notices.

RCV chair and Campaspe Shire councillor Cr Rob Amos said the ESVF was a “rotten tax that should be scrapped”.

“Rural Councils Victoria will keep pushing for the ESVF's repeal,” Cr Amos said.

“In the meantime, we want everybody to know just how much the Victorian Government is slugging them.

“It's disappointing the Victorian Government is forcing councils to collect this unjust tax on its behalf.”