UPDATED SATURDAY 17 MAY
IRATE Loddon farmers and firefighters are preparing to travel three hours on Tuesday to give the State Government a blunt message on the new emergency services tax: Scrap It!
They are organising buses from Boort, Wedderburn and Pyramid Hill to protest on the steps of Parliament House against the tax passed with support from the Greens and Animal Justice Party on Thursday.
It has also been confirmed this morning that members of Terrick West brigades will travel to the protest,. This group includes brigades at Dingee, Serpentine, Mitiamo and Pyramid Hill.
In the Loddon South group, at least four brigades have taken themselves offline - Newbridge, Woodstock West, Rheola and Murphys Creek. However, they will respond to emergencies.
The new tax will hit farmers with a 150 per cent increase on the old fire services levy.
Boort's Cleo Lanyon said the tax was the latest attack on farmers and country communities.
"We have to make a stand," she said.
Cleo said the Boort bus would leave about 6.15am and also pick up at Durham Ox. She is hoping people from Kerang will also hop on the Boort bus for the Melbourne protest timed to start at 10am.
Contact Cleo to book your seat on the Boort bus.
Bryan Talbot said he would delay the finish to sowing his crop to attend the rally and was trying to organise a bus for Pyramid Hill and district people.
"I didn't make the protest this week because I was busy dry sowing some crops. But that will be on hold to protest against this unjust tax," he said.
In Wedderburn, the VFF is organising a bus to leave at 5.30am with pickups Inglewood.
Wedderburn brigade volunteer Harry Hargreaves has written: "
Surprisingly enough the same government who stuffed up covid and the commonwealth games is now coming after our farmers and ratepayers to foot the bill, all whilst using the emergency services as a cop out! These being the backbone of the CFA with many understandably taking a stand, resources are spread thin, please notify any burn offs and be extra vigilant when doing so. Let's hope common sense prevails."
Next Tuesday will be the fourth protest against Premier Allen and the emergency services tax in just over a week and the third at Parliament House.
A protest in Bendigo last Friday outside Ms Allan's electorate office saw CFA volunteers throw fire truck keys in the doorway and walk off for more than half an hour as their trucks blocked Mollison Street.
Bryan can be contacted on 0428 557 404 to book your bus seat.
