Latest news with #LGAs
Sydney Morning Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Desperate cash grab': Treasurer strikes deal to double fire levy, days out from budget
The law will require that all levy funds be spent on emergency services, with annual reports on how funds are collected and spent. Partial rebates will be available for farmers eligible for the government's drought support package. The agriculture minister will announce an expanded package for drought-affected farmers soon. When the plan to increase the levy was announced by then-treasurer Tim Pallas in December, it was forecast that the hike would bring in $1.8 billion by 2028, compared with $1.033 billion currently. In that same budget update, Victoria was forecast to post a $1.6 billion operating surplus in the 2025-26 financial year, which would be the state's first surplus since before the pandemic. Symes said her department was now calculating the impact of the amended rates and drought relief package on the budget. When asked whether the amended rates would pare back the surplus figure, she said: 'I'm good, mate.' 'It is a new cost, no one likes paying more,' the treasurer continued. 'We're hearing that from different communities. 'Hopefully those conversations [with the crossbench] have been productive to produce a result that the legislation is passed. Loading 'It is an investment from the community to pay back into emergency services to protect them.' Symes said she had worked with the Victorian Farmers Federation on the impact of the levy on farmers, which prompted her to reduce the variable rate. 'If the ESVF bill passes, we will ensure that there is a system where farmers that are in those impacted LGAs will not have an increase on their levy whilst it is in drought,' she said. Shadow Treasurer James Newbury said the Coalition would fight the government to stop the levy. Loading 'We are going to use every mechanism in our power in this parliament, in the lower house and in the upper house, and all of our members are going to do everything we can to side with Victorians against this great big new tax,' he said. 'We're going to stay as late as we can.' The levy will also fund a $40 million program to replace FRV's fleet of trucks, joining an existing scheme to upgrade the CFA and SES fleets. UFU secretary Peter Marshall said he did not support the changes and accused the government of using the levy to cover its debt concerns. Loading 'The Allan Labor government has made a desperate cash grab to paper over its financial mismanagement, and Victorians – taxpayers, firefighters, home owners, businesses and renters alike – are going to pay the price,' he said. Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell said her party had pushed for significant changes to the original levy bill. 'These changes mean farmers experiencing hardship from drought will be exempt from the increased levy; firefighters will have proper secure and ongoing funding, including to replace their ageing trucks; and amendments will ensure every dollar goes to emergency services and can't be spent to plug government budget holes,' she said.
The Age
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
‘Desperate cash grab': Treasurer strikes deal to double fire levy, days out from budget
The law will require that all levy funds be spent on emergency services, with annual reports on how funds are collected and spent. Partial rebates will be available for farmers eligible for the government's drought support package. The agriculture minister will announce an expanded package for drought-affected farmers soon. When the plan to increase the levy was announced by then-treasurer Tim Pallas in December, it was forecast that the hike would bring in $1.8 billion by 2028, compared with $1.033 billion currently. In that same budget update, Victoria was forecast to post a $1.6 billion operating surplus in the 2025-26 financial year, which would be the state's first surplus since before the pandemic. Symes said her department was now calculating the impact of the amended rates and drought relief package on the budget. When asked whether the amended rates would pare back the surplus figure, she said: 'I'm good, mate.' 'It is a new cost, no one likes paying more,' the treasurer continued. 'We're hearing that from different communities. 'Hopefully those conversations [with the crossbench] have been productive to produce a result that the legislation is passed. Loading 'It is an investment from the community to pay back into emergency services to protect them.' Symes said she had worked with the Victorian Farmers Federation on the impact of the levy on farmers, which prompted her to reduce the variable rate. 'If the ESVF bill passes, we will ensure that there is a system where farmers that are in those impacted LGAs will not have an increase on their levy whilst it is in drought,' she said. Shadow Treasurer James Newbury said the Coalition would fight the government to stop the levy. Loading 'We are going to use every mechanism in our power in this parliament, in the lower house and in the upper house, and all of our members are going to do everything we can to side with Victorians against this great big new tax,' he said. 'We're going to stay as late as we can.' The levy will also fund a $40 million program to replace FRV's fleet of trucks, joining an existing scheme to upgrade the CFA and SES fleets. UFU secretary Peter Marshall said he did not support the changes and accused the government of using the levy to cover its debt concerns. Loading 'The Allan Labor government has made a desperate cash grab to paper over its financial mismanagement, and Victorians – taxpayers, firefighters, home owners, businesses and renters alike – are going to pay the price,' he said. Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell said her party had pushed for significant changes to the original levy bill. 'These changes mean farmers experiencing hardship from drought will be exempt from the increased levy; firefighters will have proper secure and ongoing funding, including to replace their ageing trucks; and amendments will ensure every dollar goes to emergency services and can't be spent to plug government budget holes,' she said.
The Age
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Why this Sydney council has kicked up a stink about new planning rules
A Sydney eastern suburbs council wants development laws suspended only weeks after they came into effect, saying the laws could increase everything from flood risk to the strain on roads, schools and sewerage. Woollahra Municipal Council has requested a temporary suspension of state government reforms in the town centres of Rose Bay, Double Bay and Edgecliff, areas captured by the low and mid-rise (LMR) housing policy, which the state government says will ensure the council contributes its share of thousands of new homes needed in NSW. The controversial 'missing middle' laws, in effect since February, prevent councils blocking applications for buildings up to six storeys within 400 metres, and up to three storeys within 800 metres, of certain areas. They are central to the Minns government's commitment to build 377,000 new homes in NSW under the National Housing Accord. Woollahra must build 1900 homes by mid-2029 under a target set by the state government last year. Planning Minister Paul Scully responded last week, saying his department 'undertook extensive engagement with all councils impacted by the policy, including Woollahra Council', holding a workshop with council staff in May 2024. In a statement on Monday, a spokesperson for Woollahra Council disagreed, describing the engagement as minimal. 'We are deeply concerned that reforms of this nature can be introduced without the NSW government fully understanding the implications,' they said. Last week, Scully said the processes considered council feedback on sites' unsuitability due to flood risk, but said Woollahra was 'well-placed with existing and future infrastructure to provide a diverse range of housing where people want to live'. 'The low- and mid-rise housing policy will help council achieve this target.' Woollahra, which was not one of the LGAs Scully wrote to last month asking them to 'lift their game' and approve higher-density housing faster, had an average approval time of 140 days in April, above the target of 115 days.
Sydney Morning Herald
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why this Sydney council has kicked up a stink about new planning rules
A Sydney eastern suburbs council wants development laws suspended only weeks after they came into effect, saying the laws could increase everything from flood risk to the strain on roads, schools and sewerage. Woollahra Municipal Council has requested a temporary suspension of state government reforms in the town centres of Rose Bay, Double Bay and Edgecliff, areas captured by the low and mid-rise (LMR) housing policy, which the state government says will ensure the council contributes its share of thousands of new homes needed in NSW. The controversial 'missing middle' laws, in effect since February, prevent councils blocking applications for buildings up to six storeys within 400 metres, and up to three storeys within 800 metres, of certain areas. They are central to the Minns government's commitment to build 377,000 new homes in NSW under the National Housing Accord. Woollahra must build 1900 homes by mid-2029 under a target set by the state government last year. Planning Minister Paul Scully responded last week, saying his department 'undertook extensive engagement with all councils impacted by the policy, including Woollahra Council', holding a workshop with council staff in May 2024. In a statement on Monday, a spokesperson for Woollahra Council disagreed, describing the engagement as minimal. 'We are deeply concerned that reforms of this nature can be introduced without the NSW government fully understanding the implications,' they said. Last week, Scully said the processes considered council feedback on sites' unsuitability due to flood risk, but said Woollahra was 'well-placed with existing and future infrastructure to provide a diverse range of housing where people want to live'. 'The low- and mid-rise housing policy will help council achieve this target.' Woollahra, which was not one of the LGAs Scully wrote to last month asking them to 'lift their game' and approve higher-density housing faster, had an average approval time of 140 days in April, above the target of 115 days.
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- News.com.au
Domestic violence abusers will be kicked out of homes to protect victims in expanded NSW program
Domestic violence victims will no longer have to flee their homes as a new protection program rolling out across NSW will focus on fortifying their properties and forcing their abusers to move out. The program empowers local police to remove the perpetrator from the home, while victim-survivors receive necessary support. Security upgrades for their home to ensure victims safety, financial advice, safety planning and legal help are all services provided to impacted families. The government will extend the Staying Home Leaving Violence over four years to all 128 LGAs in the state, with an investment of $25.9m. The program has already supported 6,500 victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, 1293 of which were children subjected to abuse. Twelve new providers have now been contracted to roll out statewide services to facilitate the program, in city hubs such as the Northern Beaches and regional areas such as the Snowy Mountains. 'Too often victim-survivors of domestic and family violence are forced to leave their homes in order to escape abuse,' NSW Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Minister Jodie Harrison said. 'Staying Home Leaving Violence helps the victim-survivor to stay safely in their own home, or a home of their choice and to keep important connections in their own community. 'This program aims to support women to live in safety and to maintain housing stability. 'Keeping women and children connected to their families, support network, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods is so important for their recovery. 'People should not be forced to abandon those connections to escape a violent situation.' This comes as protesters are gearing up across the nation to demand action on violence against women. 24 women have allegedly been killed by violence in 2025 already, spurring grassroot organisation What Were You Wearing to organise the 'No More: National Rally Against Violence' action. The protests will urge governments to address violence against women and prevent future incidents. The SHLV expansion comes after a previous additional $48 million rollout announced by Premier Chris Minns following the alleged murder of Molly Ticehurst last year. 'Everyone should be able to feel safe in their own home, but all too often for many that is not the case,' he said. 'When that right has been taken away from someone, this program is about supporting them in feeling safe in their homes again, or alternative, safe accommodation. 'Too many lives have been lost and too many families have been broken because of domestic and family violence. It is a blight in our communities, and it is a problem that deserves our government's concerted attention.'
