Latest news with #FireServicesPropertyLevy
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Climate
- Sydney Morning Herald
The parched part of Victoria where even football fields are ground down by drought
The meagre grass cover at the ground was only possible thanks to water supplied from a nearby property when the club was trying to resow the ground. Nearby dairy farmer Josh Parsons pumped water from his dam to the football ground in March. But with the water level now dropping below halfway, Parsons said he was no longer able to continue providing water. 'If it doesn't fill this winter, I've got to get through all next summer as well,' he said. Parsons, who milks 300 cows and has 600 acres of land, said last autumn was terrible, and this one had been worse. He said he began the summer with enough fodder that would usually last well over 1½ years. But without rain, Parsons said that would be gone by late August. Although winter typically brings reliable rain in south-west Victoria, the region is now into its second year of prolonged dry weather. Colac has had its lowest rainfall on record for an 18-month period ending in April, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Colac's water storages are now down to about 50 per cent. In the 25 months since April 2023, the coastline from Warrnambool to Cape Otway has had its lowest rainfall on record. Monash University climate scientist Ailie Gallant said heavy rain events were now required to break the drought. 'Unfortunately, at the moment there's no indication they're on the horizon,' she said. Gallant said storms, particularly in south-west Victoria, had been less frequent or dropping smaller quantities of rain than usual. The regions from Adelaide through to south-western Victoria were the areas hit the hardest by drought, she said. Loading 'For a drought to go on this long and have these consistently low monthly rainfalls – that's a big deal. It's not good,' she said. Gallant said while south-west Victoria might still be receiving higher rainfall totals than other typically dry regions, it was still causing widespread social problems and undermining agriculture in drought-affected areas. 'Drought is all relative to the location,' she said. 'It's not going to be as dry necessarily as Mildura. But the point is that the south-west area is used to higher rainfall.' The Victorian government has faced a fierce backlash from farmers after it sought to introduce a new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, to replace the Fire Services Property Levy, under which property owners pay to help fund the Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria. From July the new levy will fund all emergency services. But farmers had railed against the government's plans after many faced levy increases of up to 150 per cent. On Friday, Premier Jacinta Allan announced a one-year pause on the contentious tax hike for farmers. The government also announced extended drought relief measures after weeks of political pressure. In a statement, the government said that rainfall in May reached the worst-case scenario projected at the beginning of the month. It committed an additional $37.7 million in drought funding, providing $5000 in grants to provide support on farms. That figure will rise to $10,000 for farmers in south-west Victoria and parts of the Wimmera, where the drought has hit particularly hard. The government said the conditions had left paddocks and dams dry while fodder prices had doubled. In May, the government agreed to allow farmers in 24 drought-affected areas to pay a reduced emergency services levy. On Friday, it extended that to all primary producers for the 2025-26 year. Allan said the drought was affecting farmers across the state. 'There will be people going to the wall. Some really tough decisions are being made right now.' Dairy farmer Matt Reid 'It's why we're expanding support statewide,' she said. Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking welcomed the increased funding but called for the new levy to be scrapped. Councils will have to collect the levy, and many have pushed back against the increased payments. Last week, the Baw Baw and Loddon shire councils voted to oppose the tax, urging the state government to back down. Loading Matt Reid, a dairy farmer and the Western Eagles' vice president, said the news that farmers would not pay the increased levy for a year would come as a relief. But he said farmers were still hurting, with long waits at abattoirs as producers sought to offload stock because they could not afford feed and water. He described the drought as a 'shake-out event' and some farmers would be forced to leave the land. 'There will be people going to the wall,' he said. 'Some really tough decisions are being made right now.'
The Age
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Age
The parched part of Victoria where even football fields are ground down by drought
The meagre grass cover at the ground was only possible thanks to water supplied from a nearby property when the club was trying to resow the ground. Nearby dairy farmer Josh Parsons pumped water from his dam to the football ground in March. But with the water level now dropping below halfway, Parsons said he was no longer able to continue providing water. 'If it doesn't fill this winter, I've got to get through all next summer as well,' he said. Parsons, who milks 300 cows and has 600 acres of land, said last autumn was terrible, and this one had been worse. He said he began the summer with enough fodder that would usually last well over 1½ years. But without rain, Parsons said that would be gone by late August. Although winter typically brings reliable rain in south-west Victoria, the region is now into its second year of prolonged dry weather. Colac has had its lowest rainfall on record for an 18-month period ending in April, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Colac's water storages are now down to about 50 per cent. In the 25 months since April 2023, the coastline from Warrnambool to Cape Otway has had its lowest rainfall on record. Monash University climate scientist Ailie Gallant said heavy rain events were now required to break the drought. 'Unfortunately, at the moment there's no indication they're on the horizon,' she said. Gallant said storms, particularly in south-west Victoria, had been less frequent or dropping smaller quantities of rain than usual. The regions from Adelaide through to south-western Victoria were the areas hit the hardest by drought, she said. Loading 'For a drought to go on this long and have these consistently low monthly rainfalls – that's a big deal. It's not good,' she said. Gallant said while south-west Victoria might still be receiving higher rainfall totals than other typically dry regions, it was still causing widespread social problems and undermining agriculture in drought-affected areas. 'Drought is all relative to the location,' she said. 'It's not going to be as dry necessarily as Mildura. But the point is that the south-west area is used to higher rainfall.' The Victorian government has faced a fierce backlash from farmers after it sought to introduce a new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, to replace the Fire Services Property Levy, under which property owners pay to help fund the Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria. From July the new levy will fund all emergency services. But farmers had railed against the government's plans after many faced levy increases of up to 150 per cent. On Friday, Premier Jacinta Allan announced a one-year pause on the contentious tax hike for farmers. The government also announced extended drought relief measures after weeks of political pressure. In a statement, the government said that rainfall in May reached the worst-case scenario projected at the beginning of the month. It committed an additional $37.7 million in drought funding, providing $5000 in grants to provide support on farms. That figure will rise to $10,000 for farmers in south-west Victoria and parts of the Wimmera, where the drought has hit particularly hard. The government said the conditions had left paddocks and dams dry while fodder prices had doubled. In May, the government agreed to allow farmers in 24 drought-affected areas to pay a reduced emergency services levy. On Friday, it extended that to all primary producers for the 2025-26 year. Allan said the drought was affecting farmers across the state. 'There will be people going to the wall. Some really tough decisions are being made right now.' Dairy farmer Matt Reid 'It's why we're expanding support statewide,' she said. Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking welcomed the increased funding but called for the new levy to be scrapped. Councils will have to collect the levy, and many have pushed back against the increased payments. Last week, the Baw Baw and Loddon shire councils voted to oppose the tax, urging the state government to back down. Loading Matt Reid, a dairy farmer and the Western Eagles' vice president, said the news that farmers would not pay the increased levy for a year would come as a relief. But he said farmers were still hurting, with long waits at abattoirs as producers sought to offload stock because they could not afford feed and water. He described the drought as a 'shake-out event' and some farmers would be forced to leave the land. 'There will be people going to the wall,' he said. 'Some really tough decisions are being made right now.'
The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Cow manure delivery stunt lands MPs in steaming mess
Two MPs have been referred to a misconduct body after cow manure was dumped at a state premier's office, as their leader refuses to condemn the stunt. A farmer delivered the package to Premier Jacinta Allan's office inside Victoria's parliament house on Tuesday during a protest at the building's entrance against an emergency services levy. A note on the vacuum-sealed dung package read: "Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here's my feedback, it's bulls***. Love Brutus + family". Legislative Council President Shaun Leane says two MPs have been referred to an independent body that investigates claims of parliamentary misconduct. The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will decide whether to take the matter further. "Surely we can't get to the point where it's commonplace that differences in policies ... that MPs in opposition to those policies usher angry stakeholders to other MPs parliament offices front doors with boxes full of turds," Mr Leane said in a statement on Friday. He said the presiding officers found the incident "very disappointing". Ms Allan said staff directly affected by the incident felt unsafe at their workplace. "The behaviour on Tuesday breached workplace safety standards and also, too, it was a significant breach of community expectations in how members of parliament should behave," Ms Allan told reporters in Geelong on Friday. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has accused Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner of facilitating the placing of the "offensive prop". Mrs McArthur confirmed she was with the farmer when the package was delivered, describing it as a "harmless stunt". "Labor MPs are acting like they've never seen cow s*** before - maybe they don't get out of Melbourne much," the shadow cabinet member said in a statement. Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to condemn the incident, describing it as "internally focused". "I'm genuinely concerned that the premier is trying to make this the biggest issue for herself, rather than talking about Victorian community," Mr Battin told reporters at parliament on Friday. "We need to start thinking about what's happening outside these doors, not inside". The new levy is set to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services when it replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1. The average annual bill was predicted to jump by $63 for residential home owners and $678 for primary producers, but rebates will be available for volunteers or life members of the CFA and SES. The Victorian government also promised a lower rate for primary production land and partial rebates for drought-affected farmers. Mr Battin has pledged to scrap the levy if the coalition wins government at the next state election in November 2026. Two MPs have been referred to a misconduct body after cow manure was dumped at a state premier's office, as their leader refuses to condemn the stunt. A farmer delivered the package to Premier Jacinta Allan's office inside Victoria's parliament house on Tuesday during a protest at the building's entrance against an emergency services levy. A note on the vacuum-sealed dung package read: "Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here's my feedback, it's bulls***. Love Brutus + family". Legislative Council President Shaun Leane says two MPs have been referred to an independent body that investigates claims of parliamentary misconduct. The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will decide whether to take the matter further. "Surely we can't get to the point where it's commonplace that differences in policies ... that MPs in opposition to those policies usher angry stakeholders to other MPs parliament offices front doors with boxes full of turds," Mr Leane said in a statement on Friday. He said the presiding officers found the incident "very disappointing". Ms Allan said staff directly affected by the incident felt unsafe at their workplace. "The behaviour on Tuesday breached workplace safety standards and also, too, it was a significant breach of community expectations in how members of parliament should behave," Ms Allan told reporters in Geelong on Friday. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has accused Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner of facilitating the placing of the "offensive prop". Mrs McArthur confirmed she was with the farmer when the package was delivered, describing it as a "harmless stunt". "Labor MPs are acting like they've never seen cow s*** before - maybe they don't get out of Melbourne much," the shadow cabinet member said in a statement. Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to condemn the incident, describing it as "internally focused". "I'm genuinely concerned that the premier is trying to make this the biggest issue for herself, rather than talking about Victorian community," Mr Battin told reporters at parliament on Friday. "We need to start thinking about what's happening outside these doors, not inside". The new levy is set to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services when it replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1. The average annual bill was predicted to jump by $63 for residential home owners and $678 for primary producers, but rebates will be available for volunteers or life members of the CFA and SES. The Victorian government also promised a lower rate for primary production land and partial rebates for drought-affected farmers. Mr Battin has pledged to scrap the levy if the coalition wins government at the next state election in November 2026. Two MPs have been referred to a misconduct body after cow manure was dumped at a state premier's office, as their leader refuses to condemn the stunt. A farmer delivered the package to Premier Jacinta Allan's office inside Victoria's parliament house on Tuesday during a protest at the building's entrance against an emergency services levy. A note on the vacuum-sealed dung package read: "Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here's my feedback, it's bulls***. Love Brutus + family". Legislative Council President Shaun Leane says two MPs have been referred to an independent body that investigates claims of parliamentary misconduct. The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will decide whether to take the matter further. "Surely we can't get to the point where it's commonplace that differences in policies ... that MPs in opposition to those policies usher angry stakeholders to other MPs parliament offices front doors with boxes full of turds," Mr Leane said in a statement on Friday. He said the presiding officers found the incident "very disappointing". Ms Allan said staff directly affected by the incident felt unsafe at their workplace. "The behaviour on Tuesday breached workplace safety standards and also, too, it was a significant breach of community expectations in how members of parliament should behave," Ms Allan told reporters in Geelong on Friday. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has accused Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner of facilitating the placing of the "offensive prop". Mrs McArthur confirmed she was with the farmer when the package was delivered, describing it as a "harmless stunt". "Labor MPs are acting like they've never seen cow s*** before - maybe they don't get out of Melbourne much," the shadow cabinet member said in a statement. Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to condemn the incident, describing it as "internally focused". "I'm genuinely concerned that the premier is trying to make this the biggest issue for herself, rather than talking about Victorian community," Mr Battin told reporters at parliament on Friday. "We need to start thinking about what's happening outside these doors, not inside". The new levy is set to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services when it replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1. The average annual bill was predicted to jump by $63 for residential home owners and $678 for primary producers, but rebates will be available for volunteers or life members of the CFA and SES. The Victorian government also promised a lower rate for primary production land and partial rebates for drought-affected farmers. Mr Battin has pledged to scrap the levy if the coalition wins government at the next state election in November 2026. Two MPs have been referred to a misconduct body after cow manure was dumped at a state premier's office, as their leader refuses to condemn the stunt. A farmer delivered the package to Premier Jacinta Allan's office inside Victoria's parliament house on Tuesday during a protest at the building's entrance against an emergency services levy. A note on the vacuum-sealed dung package read: "Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here's my feedback, it's bulls***. Love Brutus + family". Legislative Council President Shaun Leane says two MPs have been referred to an independent body that investigates claims of parliamentary misconduct. The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will decide whether to take the matter further. "Surely we can't get to the point where it's commonplace that differences in policies ... that MPs in opposition to those policies usher angry stakeholders to other MPs parliament offices front doors with boxes full of turds," Mr Leane said in a statement on Friday. He said the presiding officers found the incident "very disappointing". Ms Allan said staff directly affected by the incident felt unsafe at their workplace. "The behaviour on Tuesday breached workplace safety standards and also, too, it was a significant breach of community expectations in how members of parliament should behave," Ms Allan told reporters in Geelong on Friday. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has accused Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner of facilitating the placing of the "offensive prop". Mrs McArthur confirmed she was with the farmer when the package was delivered, describing it as a "harmless stunt". "Labor MPs are acting like they've never seen cow s*** before - maybe they don't get out of Melbourne much," the shadow cabinet member said in a statement. Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to condemn the incident, describing it as "internally focused". "I'm genuinely concerned that the premier is trying to make this the biggest issue for herself, rather than talking about Victorian community," Mr Battin told reporters at parliament on Friday. "We need to start thinking about what's happening outside these doors, not inside". The new levy is set to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services when it replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1. The average annual bill was predicted to jump by $63 for residential home owners and $678 for primary producers, but rebates will be available for volunteers or life members of the CFA and SES. The Victorian government also promised a lower rate for primary production land and partial rebates for drought-affected farmers. Mr Battin has pledged to scrap the levy if the coalition wins government at the next state election in November 2026.
Perth Now
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Cow manure delivery stunt lands MPs in steaming mess
Two MPs have been referred to a misconduct body after cow manure was dumped at a state premier's office, as their leader refuses to condemn the stunt. A farmer delivered the package to Premier Jacinta Allan's office inside Victoria's parliament house on Tuesday during a protest at the building's entrance against an emergency services levy. A note on the vacuum-sealed dung package read: "Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here's my feedback, it's bulls***. Love Brutus + family". Legislative Council President Shaun Leane says two MPs have been referred to an independent body that investigates claims of parliamentary misconduct. The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will decide whether to take the matter further. "Surely we can't get to the point where it's commonplace that differences in policies ... that MPs in opposition to those policies usher angry stakeholders to other MPs parliament offices front doors with boxes full of turds," Mr Leane said in a statement on Friday. He said the presiding officers found the incident "very disappointing". Ms Allan said staff directly affected by the incident felt unsafe at their workplace. "The behaviour on Tuesday breached workplace safety standards and also, too, it was a significant breach of community expectations in how members of parliament should behave," Ms Allan told reporters in Geelong on Friday. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has accused Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner of facilitating the placing of the "offensive prop". Mrs McArthur confirmed she was with the farmer when the package was delivered, describing it as a "harmless stunt". "Labor MPs are acting like they've never seen cow s*** before - maybe they don't get out of Melbourne much," the shadow cabinet member said in a statement. Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to condemn the incident, describing it as "internally focused". "I'm genuinely concerned that the premier is trying to make this the biggest issue for herself, rather than talking about Victorian community," Mr Battin told reporters at parliament on Friday. "We need to start thinking about what's happening outside these doors, not inside". The new levy is set to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services when it replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1. The average annual bill was predicted to jump by $63 for residential home owners and $678 for primary producers, but rebates will be available for volunteers or life members of the CFA and SES. The Victorian government also promised a lower rate for primary production land and partial rebates for drought-affected farmers. Mr Battin has pledged to scrap the levy if the coalition wins government at the next state election in November 2026.
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Cow manure delivery stunt lands MPs in steaming mess
Two MPs have been referred to a misconduct body after cow manure was dumped at a state premier's office, as their leader refuses to condemn the stunt. A farmer delivered the package to Premier Jacinta Allan's office inside Victoria's parliament house on Tuesday during a protest at the building's entrance against an emergency services levy. A note on the vacuum-sealed dung package read: "Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here's my feedback, it's bulls***. Love Brutus + family". Legislative Council President Shaun Leane says two MPs have been referred to an independent body that investigates claims of parliamentary misconduct. The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will decide whether to take the matter further. "Surely we can't get to the point where it's commonplace that differences in policies ... that MPs in opposition to those policies usher angry stakeholders to other MPs parliament offices front doors with boxes full of turds," Mr Leane said in a statement on Friday. He said the presiding officers found the incident "very disappointing". Ms Allan said staff directly affected by the incident felt unsafe at their workplace. "The behaviour on Tuesday breached workplace safety standards and also, too, it was a significant breach of community expectations in how members of parliament should behave," Ms Allan told reporters in Geelong on Friday. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has accused Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner of facilitating the placing of the "offensive prop". Mrs McArthur confirmed she was with the farmer when the package was delivered, describing it as a "harmless stunt". "Labor MPs are acting like they've never seen cow s*** before - maybe they don't get out of Melbourne much," the shadow cabinet member said in a statement. Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to condemn the incident, describing it as "internally focused". "I'm genuinely concerned that the premier is trying to make this the biggest issue for herself, rather than talking about Victorian community," Mr Battin told reporters at parliament on Friday. "We need to start thinking about what's happening outside these doors, not inside". The new levy is set to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services when it replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1. The average annual bill was predicted to jump by $63 for residential home owners and $678 for primary producers, but rebates will be available for volunteers or life members of the CFA and SES. The Victorian government also promised a lower rate for primary production land and partial rebates for drought-affected farmers. Mr Battin has pledged to scrap the levy if the coalition wins government at the next state election in November 2026.
