At the Council meeting yesterday, Councillors were unanimous in their opposition to the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) Levy and resolved to make every effort to oppose the levy.
Mayor Andrew Whitehead said "With the cost of living pressures and drought conditions rural communities are experiencing, the levy is just another nail in the coffin for rural Victoria".
Council calls on Premier Jacinta Allan to stay true to her 1999 Inaugural speech to Parliament where she said "the government’s distinctive role will be to recognise and appreciate the people of country Victoria, to place their needs back on the political agenda and to bring them back into the decision-making process."
"Premier Allan, we implore you to listen to rural Victorians, stop the implementation of the levy and meet with us to discuss the way forward." Mayor Whitehead said.
