THERE could be substantial impacts to Loddon Shire’s financial position, following calls from some protest groups to refuse to pay the emergency services tax portion of rate bills.
“We understand and sympathise with those calls to withhold what they believe is the levy payment,” said Mayor Dan Straub,
“However, any payment of rates made to council is apportioned to the individual parts of the rates notice, meaning the ESVF levy will still be paid in part and council would not receive the full amount of council rates.
“Council would then be required to enforce the outstanding payments for both council rates and the levy.
“Any reduction in the amount ratepayers choose to pay will directly affect council’s bottom line and limit our capacity to deliver services and infrastructure.
“The only fair and just solution is for the State Government to immediately repeal this tax,” Cr Straub said.
The new tax is to apply from next Tuesday and will appear as a charge on council rate notices. Councils across Victoria have complained little information has been received about implementation of the tax that was passed through Parliament in a late night sitting last month.