Member for Coffs Harbour, Gurmesh Singh, has called on the NSW Minns Government to reinstate the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) subsidy to “give councils some relief instead of shifting costs to them”.
He said local councils across the state would “feel the sting” of a hike in the levy.
Mr Singh (pictured) has called on the NSW Government to reinstate the ESL subsidy.
“Council budgets have already been hit hard in the wake of natural disasters and now they will come under more pressure with this unfair levy increase,” he said.
“I support our local councils in their fight against this cost impost and stand alongside them as they lobby the Labor Government to restore the ESL subsidy for 2023.
“We need to ensure the proper funding of our emergency services so they can keep us safe – but councils should not have to wear an excessive increase in this levy.”
Local Government NSW says the unexpected cost hit could wipe out IPART-approved rate rises at some councils.
“We know any additional NSW Government costs which councils are asked to bear can jeopardise the delivery of services and the provision of new facilities,” Mr Singh said.
