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Fire Services Levy

Fire Services Levy increases hit Euroa electorate

03 July 2015

Dear Editor

The start of the new financial year has brought with it a massive hike in the fire services property levy (FSPL).

Despite pledging before the election that there would be no increases to any taxes or charges, Labor is gouging an additional $42.1 million from Victorian property owners this financial year.

In the local government area of Mitchell, the FSPL rate will increase by 8.8 per cent, in Greater Bendigo by 8.5 per cent, in Greater Shepparton 7.9 per cent, in Campaspe by 7.7 per cent, in Strathbogie by 7.6 per cent and in Benalla by 7.3 per cent.

Property owners throughout the Euroa electorate, including residents, commercial businesses, farmers, churches and sporting clubs are being slugged with these increases.

The former Coalition Government changed the fire services levy to make it fairer and more equitable, particularly for country Victorians.

Our reforms saw the cost to farmers drop by around $300 a year.

It concerns me that Daniel Andrews is putting politics before people with these increases.            

Steph Ryan MP
Member for Euroa
Deputy Leader of The Nationals