Photo caption: Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left, and Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland discuss the huge increase in council’s Emergency Service s Levy bill next financial year, which is set to increase by almost 20 per cent.
Wednesday, 10 May 2023
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today given notice of a motion on the floor of State Parliament calling on the new government to reverse its controversial decision to reinstate and dramatically increase the Emergency Services Levy, a tax slugged on local councils and ratepayers to maintain the State’s fire, rescue and emergency services.
Mr Marshall used his first day back in Parliament to table the motion, demanding the government continue the policy of the last three financial years of NSW Treasury covering the cost of levy, rather than slugging local communities to maintain State Government owned and controlled services.
“Councils across the Northern Tablelands were only recently advised about the enormous increase – around 20 per cent – to their Emergency Services Levy liabilities for next financial year,” Mr Marshall said.
“The government has indicated that it will not cover the costs of the Levy imposed on local councils and their ratepayers, which had occurred the previous three financial years.
“This is not only incredibly frustrating for our local councils, the timing could not be worse with a lot of work being done to finalise draft budgets for next year.
“These ballooning levy liability costs will be met directly from the pockets of local ratepayers, resulting in less funds for councils to do the basics, fixing roads, maintaining local parks and gardens and keeping pools and libraries open.”
At a roundtable meeting of the region’s Mayors and General Managers, brought together by Mr Marshall last week, the issue of the levy increase drew unanimous alarm and condemnation, especially the impact it will have on their ability to maintain infrastructure and deliver services in their communities.
“The dollar increase in the Levy, is in most cases, is a larger quantum of funding than the entire allowable rate peg cap for next financial year,” Mr Marshall said.
“This means that almost every council will have its financial positions further eroded by the increase in this levy alone, before any other cost increases, such as road building materials or staff wages, are factored in.”
The current Emergency Services Levy for this financial year, per council, is:
• Armidale Regional Council $1,176,423
• Gwydir Shire Council $547,986
• Glen Innes Severn Council $553,992
• Inverell Shire Council $540,866
• Moree Plains Council $679,794
• Uralla Shire Council $25,500
• Walcha Council $26,205
“With a 20 per cent increase next financial year, I am concerned that councils will not be able to fund local projects like fixing roads building footpaths and maintaining sporting fields,” Mr Marshall said.
“I am calling on the State Government to act now and cover the costs of the Levy to ensure councils can serve our community efficiently and effectively well into the future.”
NOTICE OF MOTION: NSW EMERGENCY SERVICES LEVY INCREASE & IMPOST
I give notice that tomorrow I shall move that this House:
- Notes local councils across the Northern Tablelands have only very recently been advised of enormous increases, of around 20 per cent, in their Emergency Services Levy liabilities for next financial year;
- Further notes the State Government has indicated it will not cover the costs of the Levy imposed on local councils and their ratepayers, as has occurred the previous three financial years;
- Acknowledges the frustration and concern of councils about the impact this increased levy will have on their ability to maintain infrastructure and deliver services in their local communities;
- Expresses its concern that the increase in the levy is, in most cases, a larger quantum of funding than the entire allowable rate peg cap for next financial year, further eroding councils’ financial capacity; and
- Calls on the State Government to reverse its decision and cover the increased costs of the Levy and guarantee this will continue to be provided into the future.