LODDON Shire rate notices will have a different look when they are issued within months.
The shire has been at the forefront of opposition to the State Government’s controversial new emergency services tax that will hike ratepayer bills.
The Government is forcing councils across Victoria to collect the tax and compelling them to send the money to Spring Street since last Tuesday.
While farmers have had a 12-month reprieve from a 150 per cent increase, Premier Jacinta Allan has linked consideration of a further extension to drought conditions. 
But Loddon Shire says its new look rate notice will make ratepayers aware of the impact the tax has on the total bill that modelling by CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald showed could be a 25 per cent hike.
A shire spokesperson said: “Loddon is preparing a rates notice template that will make it clear for ratepayers what component of their rates notice is made up of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.  “An information flyer regarding the ESVF will also accompany rates notices this year to ensure ratepayers are informed about the change.”
Rural Councils Victoria  has produced a guide rates notice template to help councils clearly show ratepayers which charges are actually Victorian Government requirements.
In the template — which has been developed with input from member councils — a new red box is used to signify Victorian Government-imposed charges.
The demonstration notice also includes words plainly explaining what the tax is.
The tax 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, said RCV.
Individual councils are responsible for the final design of their rates notices.
Chair Cr Rob Amos said: “This is a rotten tax that should be scrapped. Rural Councils Victoria will keep pushing for the ESVF’s repeal.
“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.”
Loddon Shire has requested a meeting with the Victorian Governor to discuss its opposition to the new tax and is waiting on confirmation of a date.