LIVERPOOL Plains council has to somehow find an extra $84,000 in its budget, after the state government increased a levy without consultation.
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LPSC is calling on the NSW government to resolve problems it has caused with the Emergency Services Levy.
The state government has brought in higher charges for the levy, which local governments around the state are expected to pass onto ratepayers.
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LPSC mayor Andrew Hope said while the council supports "efforts to ensure fair workers' compensation" for emergency services staff, there was "no consultation" from the state government when the changes were made.
As a result, NSW councils did not provide for the increased cost in their 2019/2020 budgets.
"In the case of LPSC, the invoice from Revenue NSW was for $436,193 for its emergency services levy contribution 2019/20. This is $83,994 more than last year's levy - a 23.8 per cent increase," Cr Hope said.
"This will mean council will need to find additional funds and/or cut planned initiatives or services.
"The extra $84,000 LPSC is being asked to pay is a large amount and the impact of this unplanned cost will have negative impacts for the whole community."
Cr Hope said LPSC general manager Ron Van Katwyk would be liaising with the government to explain the impact the increased charge will mean for LPSC, and would be taking actions as mayor.
He's also written to politicians on both sides, including the Premier, the Opposition leader, the Customer Service Minister, Local Government Minister and Emergency Services Minister, along with their shadow ministers.
Cr Hope said he was hoped the state government would cover the cost of the initial additional increase in the first year, and would redesign the funding mechanism for the scheme to ensure fairness in the future.