Please note: this is an archived news article release
This article was published on Friday, 30 May, 2025. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.
Posted on Friday 30th of May, 2025,
Greater Shepparton City Council has continued to express its strong objection and disappointment to the newly imposed Victorian Government Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), which shifts a state taxation burden onto local government operations.
In Summary
At its May Council Meeting on Tuesday, Councillor Rod Schubert tabled an urgent business item which was unanimously supported by all Councillors, on the back of legal advice received. The advice, which raised further concerns, confirmed that councils are legally required to collect the ESVF. It was also confirmed that councils cannot issue a separate rate notice for the ESVF, it must be included in the annual valuation rate and charge notice, and councils must proportionally allocate payments to both council rates and charges, and the ESVF levy, if a ratepayer underpays.
This requirement is expected to significantly impact Council’s bottom line and the services and facilities it provides to the community, potentially impacting the relationship between Council and its community.
At the Council Meeting, Council acknowledged its legal obligation to comply with the ESVF however it strongly objected to the imposition of this responsibility.
Cr Sali said local government were increasingly funding services that should be a state responsibility, including kindergarten, libraries, school crossings, maternal and child health.
Under the new ESVF, the primary production variable rate will rise sharply from 28.7 cents to 71.8 cents per $1,000 of Capital Improved Value (CIV), a shift that disproportionately affects regional and rural areas. The ESVF will come into effect from 1 July 2025, with Greater Shepparton residents to see the increase listed on their rates notice distributed in August.
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