THE Victorian Farmers Federation has put further pressure on councils and the state government to fix the rating system.
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VFF president and Murra Warra farmer David Jochinke has demanded a temporary ban on future rate increase until a “better deal is made for farmers”.
It comes after the VFF hosted rural and regional parliamentarians in Melbourne on Tuesday morning to mark the final sitting week of the current term of parliament.
Mr Jochinke said it was a chance to call for definitive action on the rates issue, with reports that some farmers are facing annual rate increases exceeding 40 per cent.
“Enough is enough. Action on the inequitable rural rates situation is a key ask of the VFF’s Delivering for Agriculture 2018 state election campaign,” he said.
“So far the response from the parties and candidates has been unsatisfactory.”
In Horsham Rural City Council’s 2018-19 Budget, residential rates were decreased by 0.6 per cent, while farm rates increased by 11.8 per cent.
At the VFF’s conference in July, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews faced questions around Horsham council’s rates decision.
Mr Andrews said the government would address the issue further.
"I won't directly comment on Horsham, I will follow up with the minister for Local Government (Marlene Kairouz),” Mr Andrews said said.
“We had another council who decided they would take a pretty poor approach towards primary producers.
“We put a monitor into that council, we got some advice directly, in relation to the experience in that council, we are getting close to the conclusion of a review it is important to listen to local communities.”
Northern Grampians, Yarriambiack and Buloke councils chose to amend the rating strategies in their 2018-19 Budgets to achieve a standard 2.25 per cent rate increase across all categories.
Mr Jochinke said the VFF encouraged farmers with concerns about their rates to contest their valuations.
“Those farmers with the option of doing so are also encouraged to withhold their rates payments until the final lump sum payment is due to council, rather than paying in installments,” he said.
“Our rates system is completely broken. It needs to be demolished and rebuilt from the ground up. While many of these rate increases on their own are unsustainable, there is also the question of value.”
He said many farmers weren’t getting adequate services to justify rate increases.
“As farmers continue receiving excessive rates notices, they are rightfully questioning the levels of service they receive, with poorly maintained roads, roadside vegetation and inadequate drainage among the most common complaints,” he said.
“This sort of thing just wouldn’t fly in the city. For farmers to continue doing their job of growing fibre and food for Victoria, Australia and the world, they need decent roads, energy security, infrastructure and a fair rates system.
“It’s time for parties and candidates to start delivering for agriculture and address the rates issue before the state election on 24 November.”
Find out more about the VFF’s state election campaign here.
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