VICTORIA’S peak farmer body has renewed its call for fairer rating strategies as the results of local government elections are finalised.

The Victorian Farmers Federation today said new councillors must listen to communities to deliver fairer rating strategies.

VFF president Emma Germano.

VFF president Emma Germano said the VFF has previously observed unfair rate increases for farmers in many areas, often driven by sudden and unexpected increases in the valuation of farmland.

“How can farmers be expected to run their businesses when they face huge and unexpected increases in their rates?”

“These rate increases bear no relationship to the farmer’s production or income,” she said.

The call to listen to communities to deliver fairer rate strategies was supported by new first-time Moyne Shire and Macarthur beef farmer Lloyd Ross, who said he wanted to review the council’s entire budget, including rating, within the context of costs and other funding sources, such as state and federal grants.

“Councils have just got to control their budgets and get back to basics.”

Mr Ross said the capital improved valuations on shire land had risen for urban and rural landholders in the shire, and the fire services levy had also increased for property owners.

“There a people down at St Helens are paying $20,000 in rates, but you can’t drive down the road because it is all overgrown and you wouldn’t be game to go out at night.”

Mr Ross said if farmers were getting a reasonable price for their produce they would not be as concerned about rate and levy increases.

“Plus we’ve got drought and cattle prices have gone back – we’re struggling.

“Living costs have gone up for town residents and farmers are working seven days a week.”

Ms Germano said the current rating situation is “simply grossly unfair.”

“While in many areas farmers are funding an increasing proportion of the council’s revenue, they are not receiving a fair share of council services.

“By using differential rating councils can adjust the cents in the dollar rates payable to even out fluctuations and ensure a fair distribution of the rates burden across land types,” she said.

The VFF believes that to achieve this each council should spell out its approach in a comprehensive rates strategy.

“It’s critical that the newly-elected councils protect farmers and ensures a fair distribution of the rates burden,” Ms Germano said.