The Victorian Farmers Federation is demanding a moratorium on future rates increases until the state government, election candidates and councils commit to demolishing and rebuilding a “broken” system.
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The call came as the VFF hosted rural and regional MPs in Melbourne Tuesday morning to mark the final sitting week of the current term of parliament, and call for definitive action on rates to help farmers.
VFF president David Jochinke said he continued to receive reports of annual rate increases exceeding 40 per cent for some farmers.
He feared that without a line in the sand farms could be rated out of existence.
“It is difficult to think of any small or large business that could remain viable in the face of 20 to 40 per cent hikes to such a significant fixed cost each year,” Mr Jochinke said.
“Compounding this, the challenges of drought and difficult seasonal conditions facing many farmers are making the significant increases even harder to absorb.”
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