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Mayor calls for early decision on power company rates Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Bruce Lougheed, has called on the state government to make a quick decision on the amount of local government rates to be paid by power companies. By Latrobe City Council - 4th May 2005 - Back to News Cr Lougheed said that Latrobe City was well into planning its 2005/6 budget and the outcome of the state government review of power company rates will have a direct impact on Latrobe City’s budget and the level of rates to be paid by Latrobe residents.
The State government commenced a review of power company rates in September 2004 but has yet to hand down a decision. Since privatisation, power companies have enjoyed an approximate 86% discount on rates as the result of a process put in place by the then government.
Cr Lougheed said that Latrobe City has taken the position that power companies should be subject to the same rating process as any other privately owned large industrial establishment.
"This position has been supported by other Victorian municipalities involved in the power industry and the local government peak body, the Municipal Association of Victoria," Cr Lougheed explained.
"It is difficult to justify the low rates for the power industry when considered against what Latrobe charges other large industries," Cr Lougheed said.
"We understand that the current power generation market is depressed and that the state government may therefore have compelling reasons for wishing to keep power Industry costs down. However, any power industry subsidy, rates or otherwise, should be a state issue to which all Victorians contribute. It would be unjust to require Latrobe City ratepayers to continue to subsidise all of Victoria’s electricity consumers.
"There is no doubt that as a consequence of a more equitable rate contribution the power costs for all Victorians would have to rise, but this would be a handful of dollars for each consumer when those costs were spread across all Victorians. At the moment, Latrobe City ratepayers are having to dig deep into their own pockets to keep prices artificially low for other consumers across the state," Cr Lougheed added.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Gippsland East MP Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving Victoria, warning councils face doubled contributions while new Emergency Services levy strains East Gippsland and Wellington budgets. - Baw Baw Shire Council returns 37 cultural artefacts to Lardil people in historic Mornington Island repatriation
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Danny Goss led a historic journey to Mornington Island, repatriating 37 cultural artefacts to the Lardil People, marking a significant step toward reconciliation and cultural heritage restoration. - Martin Cameron criticises Labor’s ensured failure by hastening coal plant closures without planning baseload power replacements
The Victorian Auditor-General warns a "disorderly energy transition" could cause power shortages, soaring prices, and job losses, with Labor’s accelerated coal closures and mismanaged renewable planning worsening the crisis. - Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland South women to participate in free BreastScreen Victoria program for early breast cancer detection
Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien urges women aged 50-74 to use free BreastScreen Victoria services, improving early detection, reversing post-pandemic screening declines, and saving lives. - Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions
Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures. - Melina Bath demands Allan government deliver promised 'Youth Crime Prevention Program' for Latrobe Valley
The Nationals are demanding the Allan government deliver the long-promised Youth Crime Prevention Program in Latrobe Valley, addressing rising youth crime, restoring diversion programs, and supporting at-risk young people effectively. - Community feedback wanted on East Gippsland Draft Engagement Policy to strengthen participation in local decision-making
East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Community Engagement Policy, inviting input through surveys, drop-in sessions, and stakeholder consultation to strengthen participation in decision-making processes. - Tim Bull condemns Labor government for rejecting Jack’s Law, delaying vital reforms to prevent knife-related harm
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticises Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, a proven reform to enhance police powers, remove dangerous weapons, and improve community safety against knife-related violence. - Government was light on details about fuel and fertiliser plans, says Darren Chester
Darren Chester urges the Albanese government to ensure fuel and fertiliser prioritisation for agriculture and food production, warning supply disruptions from the Iran conflict threaten farmers, exports and Australian household budgets. - Allan Labor government misled East Gippsland over Paynesville Road inspections, leaving "rollercoaster" section untested, says Tim Bull
The Allan Labor government misled East Gippsland by failing to inspect the problematic Paynesville Road section, delaying repairs and leaving the "rollercoaster" stretch untested for nearly three years, says Tim Bull. - Bass Coast Shire Council urges MAV to demand transparency, accountability and community engagement in State planning decisions
Bass Coast Shire Council will urge MAV to demand greater transparency, accountability, and community consultation in State Government planning decisions, highlighting concerns over the Development Facilitation Program and local impacts. - Labor government delivers $2.73M Sale Hospital upgrade, modernising Community Services building for Gippsland healthcare staff
The Allan Labor government is delivering a $2.73 million upgrade to Sale Hospital's historic Community Services Building, modernising facilities for healthcare workers, patients, and students through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund. - Albanese government criticised for unfair Australia-EU trade deal undermining farmers and dairy producers’ rights
The Albanese government’s Australia-EU trade deal is criticised for weak market access, unfair geographic restrictions, and disadvantageous Australian farmers, particularly dairy and red meat producers, according to industry leaders. - Victorian government confirms Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will remain at Phillip Island with ongoing event support
Bass Coast Council welcomes Victorian Government confirming Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will stay at Phillip Island, rejecting Albert Park move, ensuring ongoing funding, supporting tourism, jobs, and regional community benefits beyond 2026. - Allan Labor government reverses Newhaven Jetty closure following persistent community and Nationals’ advocacy victory
The Allan government has reversed Newhaven Jetty’s permanent closure after 18 months of Nationals’ advocacy and tireless community campaigning, securing a safe, accessible jetty for locals and visitors - Allan Labor government backs regional footy and netball with $1.5M from 2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program
The Allan Labor government is investing $1.5 million in Morwell sports clubs through the Country Football and Netball Program, while opening new grants to upgrade regional facilities and boost community participation. - Allan Labor government backs First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with new sports grants
The Allan Labor government has announced over $67,000 in Aboriginal Sport Participation Grants, supporting First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with travel, uniforms, and equipment to compete locally and nationally. - Allan Labor government invests $860,000 to support and strengthen Men's Sheds across Victoria
The Allan Labor government is investing $860,000 to support 31 men's sheds across Victoria, funding upgrades, expansions, and new equipment to strengthen communities and foster connection through shared skills. - Labor government backs Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve upgrades with major investment in cricket, football and community facilities
Works have begun on Moe's Ted Summerton Reserve, delivering oval upgrades, lighting, new changerooms, and improvements through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, boosting community sport, events, jobs, and local participation. - Bass Coast Council seeks community feedback on updated rating strategy ensuring fair property rates distribution
Bass Coast Shire Council seeks community feedback on its updated Rating Strategy, ensuring fair distribution of rates across property types and considering a pensioner waste rebate before February 2026. - Labor government slammed as Gippsland crime soars, Danny O'Brien warns communities are failed by weak laws
Danny O'Brien says Gippsland crime is surging under Labor, with major increases across all councils. He warns weakened laws, police shortages, and neglect leave communities unsafe, demanding stronger action and real consequences. - Tim Bull slams government over firewood shortages, fuel loads and lack of practical solutions
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has slammed government policy for firewood shortages, warning rising bush fuel loads pose serious risks, calling for extended collection areas, longer seasons and practical fire management. - Gippsland Water completes major Warragul sewer upgrade, boosting capacity and supporting town’s rapid growth and future reliability
Gippsland Water has completed a 1.5-kilometre Warragul sewer upgrade, increasing capacity, improving reliability, supporting population growth, and protecting the environment, including relocation of threatened local species during construction. - Danny O’Brien urges Labor government to urgently fix South Gippsland Highway dangerous, deteriorating road conditions statewide
Danny O’Brien urges the Allan Labor government to urgently repair the deteriorating South Gippsland Highway, citing potholes, failing patches, and community frustration across key stretches before the busy holiday period. - Martin Cameron criticises Labor government over delayed Morwell sobering-up facility, broken promises and lack of ministerial accountability
Martin Cameron criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to deliver the promised Morwell sobering-up facility, ignoring repeated parliamentary questions, leaving the Latrobe Valley without adequate public intoxication support. - Tim Bull accuses Labor government of reducing fire mitigation work, misleading contractors, prioritising former timber industry assets
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull accused the Allan Labor government of reducing fire mitigation work, misleading contractors, and prioritising former timber industry assets over existing external plant panel workers. - Tribunal warns Albanese government's bill removes veterans' rights to review bravery awards and undermines Defence Honours system integrity
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has accused the Albanese government of removing veterans' rights to review bravery awards, warning proposed reforms undermine fairness, independence, and recognition of Australia's war heroes. - Melina Bath urges Labor government to urgently resolve funding crisis threatening Gippsland disability independent living homes
Melina Bath urges Allan Labor government to urgently resolve funding impasse threatening Gippsland independent living homes, leaving almost 2,000 people with disabilities at risk and causing widespread distress. - East Gippsland Shire Council reminds residents financial support options exist for ratepayers experiencing hardship to pay rates and charges
East Gippsland Shire Council reminds residents struggling to pay rates that support is available through its Hardship Policy, offering flexible payments, deferrals, possible waivers, and face-to-face assistance in local towns. - Danny O’Brien urges Labor government to disclose Gippsland South public housing vacancies amid growing local housing crisis
Danny O’Brien has urged the Allan Labor government to disclose how many public housing homes in Gippsland South are vacant, highlighting community frustration and the urgent need for transparency. - Melina Bath slams Labor government over five-year Sealers Cove boardwalk repair delays and tourism mismanagement
Melina Bath criticises Allan government for mismanaging Sealers Cove boardwalk repairs, leaving it closed five years, harming Wilsons Promontory tourism and local businesses, highlighting broken promises and neglect of public assets. - Melina Bath urges Labor government to scrap emergency services tax as VFF survey shows farmers' frustration and concern
The Nationals' Melina Bath urged the Allan Labor government to scrap the emergency services tax, citing VFF survey findings showing widespread financial, mental, and regulatory pressures on Victorian farmers. - Melina Bath condemns Allan government’s ‘land grab,’ opposing farmland seizure before environmental approvals complete
The Allan Labor government passed laws allowing energy companies to compulsory acquire farmland before approvals, prompting Nationals’ Melina Bath to condemn the "land grab" and call for proper consultation and safeguards. - Melina Bath demands Allan government release clear construction timeline for Wonthaggi Hospital redevelopment stages
Melina Bath demands the Allan government release a clear construction timeline for Wonthaggi Hospital Stages 2 and 3, warning delays leave healthcare workers overburdened and residents facing escalating patient demand. - Melina Bath urges Allan government to prioritise urgent upgrades for Gippsland schools in poor condition
Melina Bath urges Allan Government to urgently upgrade Gippsland schools, highlighting 2025 report revealing many in poor condition, with ageing infrastructure and maintenance deficits impacting students’ education. - Melina Bath criticises Labor government shutting public beekeeping, threatening Victoria's food security and horticultural jobs
Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists. - Melina Bath urges Allan government to urgently address hazardous roadside vegetation threatening eastern Victoria communities
Nationals’ Melina Bath warns eastern Victoria communities face bushfire risks from overgrown roadside vegetation, urging Allan Government to implement slashing, controlled burning, and weed management to improve public safety. - Melina Bath urges parents, carers, and educators to provide submissions to improve child safety by 30 November 2025
Victoria's Child Safety Inquiry calls for public submissions to investigate early childhood education failures, restore family confidence, and recommend reforms ensuring children receive safe, high-quality care and protection. - Melina Bath condemns Labor government for recycled road funding spin and failure to deliver real investment
Melina Bath has accused the Allan government of recycling old road funding announcements, labelling them propaganda and demanding genuine investment to address the worsening condition of regional Victoria's neglected roads. - Melina Bath urges Allan government to end delays and deliver the long-promised Cape to Cape Plan
Pressure is growing on the Allan government to end years of delays and release the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan, ensuring urgent coastal protection and reflecting community feedback for Inverloch. - Danny O'Brien urges Labor government to fund new Port Welshpool Coast Guard vessel for community safety
Danny O'Brien urges the Allan Labor government to urgently fund a new $2 million vessel for Port Welshpool Coastguard, ensuring volunteers can safely cover Corner Inlet, Wilsons Promontory, and protect locals. - Melina Bath blames Allan government as Victoria's public housing waitlist surges amid worsening housing crisis
Victoria's housing crisis deepens as public housing waitlists surge past 60,000. Melina Bath blames the Allan government's inaction, rising taxes, and mismanagement for worsening homelessness and unaffordable rents across the state. - Tim Bull warns Victorian government policies leave record fuel loads, risking another mega-fire
Tim Bull warns Victorian government’s reduced fuel reduction policies and record bushfire fuel loads are creating conditions for another mega-fire, urging urgent action to protect communities and support firefighters’ efforts. - Farmers demand urgent government action as pest animals surge across East Gippsland and Victoria
Farmers in East Gippsland and eastern Victoria face rising pest animal impacts, with ASAC urging coordinated government action, long-term funding and improved control measures to protect agriculture, livelihoods and communities. - Danny O'Brien urges Allan Labor government to fix online rebate issues affecting CFA and SES volunteers' access to support
Danny O'Brien has urged the Allan Labor Government to fix the online-only rebate system, saying CFA and SES volunteers struggle to access support and deserve easier, paper-based application options. - Melina Bath condemns Allan government, warns emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped
Melina Bath condemned the Allan Government for misleading regional Victorians, warning the emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped, and calling for its full abolition to protect farmers and communities. - Tim Bull criticises Labor government for mismanagement, volunteer cuts, and inadequate fuel reduction ahead of high-risk summer season
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull warns communities face extreme bushfire risk this summer due to Labor’s volunteer cuts, ageing CFA fleet, inadequate fuel reduction, and failure to implement Royal Commission recommendations. - Martin Cameron questions Labor government for denying regional crime crisis and the ongoing failures of 'Bail Laws'
The Nationals' Martin Cameron has accused the Allan Labor government of failing Victorians with weak bail laws, after repeat offenders continue to walk free and regional crime remains out of control. - Tim Bull urges Labor government to stop costly brumby culling amid Parks Victoria job and funding cuts
Tim Bull urges Labor to halt costly brumby culling in East Gippsland, citing job losses, funding cuts, and greater threats from feral pigs, while advocating for more responsible taxpayer spending. - Coalition demands Albanese government regulate veterans’ advocacy sector after damning Senate committee report release
The Coalition urges urgent laws to regulate veterans’ advocacy, citing unethical practices, rising commercial providers, data risks, and unmet Royal Commission reforms to better protect vulnerable veterans and their families. - Melina Bath criticises Allan government over poor safety ratings on Eastern Victoria roads
Melina Bath criticises Allan government after AusRAP reveals most eastern Victoria roads rated one or two stars, highlighting neglect, poor maintenance, and increased risk of serious injury or fatalities. - Melina Bath condemns Allan Labor government cuts halting maintenance at local police stations
Melina Bath criticises Allan Labor government for halting police station maintenance, citing $50 million budget cuts, unsafe conditions, overgrown grounds, broken lighting and delayed repairs jeopardising staff and public safety. - Gippsland’s growth at risk without urgent government investment in housing and socially affordable homes, warns Cr Nathan Hersey
One Gippsland warns Gippsland’s growth risks stalling without urgent government investment in housing, infrastructure, and social housing to support workforce, industries, and rapidly growing communities across the region. - Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor government for neglecting regional PSOs while funding Melbourne stations
Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor Government for neglecting regional PSOs, citing rising Gippsland crime and calling for equal safety protections and additional officers under Coalition plans. - Martin Cameron slams Allan Labor government over year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings
Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Labor's year-long failure to clarify ownership of Traralgon vacant buildings, after multiple ministerial referrals left residents concerned about neglect, squatters, and ongoing government inaction. - Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government, LSV to ensure lifeguard patrols continue safely, without cuts
Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government and LSV to guarantee lifeguard patrols, warning proposed funding hike strains budgets while beaches remain high-risk, with recent drownings highlighting urgent safety needs.
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