Frustration over short notice on consultations

Farmers in the north-west have raised concerns about the short notice, or lack of advice, on public hearings on the review into Victoria's rating system.

"The Government needs to hear loudly and clearly from farmland ratepayers that the current rating system is not working and must change," Mr Jochinke said.

"Victoria must have a fair and sustainable rating system for all ratepayers."

An independent panel is now reviewing all aspects of Victoria's local government rating system.

It will submit its report to the government by March 31, 2020.

Read more:

Mr Jochinke said he didn't know of any precise local advertising, before the Mildura consultation, with notice of meetings appearing to be announced on a short timeframe.

"A day or two out is leaving it to chance," Mr Jochinke said.

"For them to not advertise heavily in either media, or events that agriculture is involved in, shows they haven't really given a lot of thought to getting maximum value from the consultations."

The VFF had promoted the forums on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook.

"The frustration is that there are some apparent and obvious lines of communication they should be using, and they are failing to engage, through those channels.

"This isn't the first time this has happened."

Mr Jochinke said many farmers were feeling stressed, because of the climatic conditions and may not have been aware of the meeting schedule.

"We are talking business owners, not nine to five occupations, and they do need some information, in advance.

"You can't attend these meetings at the drop of a hat."

He encouraged members to discuss the system of distributing government grants and whether it was fair, for all Victorians.

Read more: Farmers in the south-west are the latest to be stung by rating increases

Ian Hastings, Ouyen, said many people didn't have any idea the Mildura meeting was on and he had raised the issue at the forum.

"In my view; it was very, very poorly advertised," Mr Hastings said.

"I made it very clear people needed to know it was on they need to have their say."

A key issue was the efficiency of councils and lack of ongoing support from the State government.

"The state government gives them a start-up fee, then pulls out," Mr Hastings said.

"They should be saying if the state government wants the service, they pay, or we stop it."

He said he raised the inequitable nature of the current rating system, as well as lower infrastructure costs faced by urban councils.

"Rural councils have very few people and very large infrastructure costs," Mr Hastings said."

He urged farmers to have their say, at the remaining consultation meetings.

"Get out and have your say, or support those speaking on your behalf," he said.

"It's a numbers game, it always was a numbers game, and it will continue to be so."

Geoff Anderson, Ouyen, said he had proposed paying rates only on improvements, taking out the value of the land.

"Working the land is your job, and I don't think they should be taxing your job," Mr Anderson said.

He was one of a handful of farmers who attended the Mildura consultation.

"Valuations have been going up dramatically, as the land prices have gone up," Mr Anderson said.

"We are paying in the vicinity of five to 10 times what we should, if we were any other business, earning the same money."

James O'Day, Millewa, said many local growers, at a recent meeting, had told him they hadn't heard about the Mildura consultation.

"I really believe there needs to be another meeting in Mildura, as it was a poor turn out," Mr O'Day said.

"We are just over-rated, basically, for the one family, we are paying 20 times what everyone else in town does.

"The land doesn't use council services."

Mr O'Day said he felt farmers should be rated on their house block and any other inhabited buildings.

"I don't begrudge anyone in town their services, but we don't have access to the services they do, and we have to pay for the privilege."

Rating Panel Review chair Dr Kathy Alexander said there had been a range of options provided for the community to provide feedback.

"Public meetings are just one part of a broader three month consultation process, which includes an online survey and options for written feedback and submissions," Dr Alexander said.

She said 17 public meetings would be held and the Panel was considering options to maximise attendance at further forums, around the state.

Late last week, the two-minute Engage.vic survey had received more than 800 responses, along with 17 written submissions from the public.

Submissions close on November 1.

A spokesman said the Panel had published in all regional newspapers, as well as social media, in the lead up to the public forums.

The Panel has also been in contact with relevant peak bodies to help promote the consultation.

Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek said the government wanted all Victorians to have a say on the rating system.

"I have asked the independent Rating Panel to consult widely," Mr Somyurek said.

"I encourage everyone to have their say, in person or if they can't make it, online and in writing."

Anyone who wishes to provide feedback to the Panel directly can contact the Secretariat on 9948 8533 or rating.review@delwp.vic.gov.au