The Gosnells Districts Ratepayers Association president Sandy Baraiolo said earlier this month at a community meeting that if the State Government wanted to save money then a low cost independent fire service was needed in the community.
She has urged residents to start making a noise to council, state members and federal members urging a fair go for the rate paying community by setting up a non-bureaucratic independent country fire service focused on volunteers.
Residents also discussed the impact of the Emergency Services Levy on their rates.
The levy funds about 770 emergency service groups and Ms Baraiolo said she was horrified to find out from Gosnells councillor Glenn Dewhurst who attended the meeting with six other councillors that the city had collected $12.7 million from ratepayers for the levy.
“This money is the money which we hand over to the State Government to fund the Department of Fire and Emergency Services,” she said.
“Our rates get higher but the value on our properties don’t.”
Ms Baraiolo said the city received a further $121,750 from ratepayers for the bushfire brigade and $38,810 for State Emergency Services.
A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said the levy was not unique to WA and that she could not do much about it but was happy to discuss particular issues with the ratepayers association.
City of Gosnells chief executive officer Ian Cowie said the city had no control over any aspect of the levy and any queries should be directed to DFES.
“In the current financial climate the City of Gosnells has worked diligently to keep rate increases to a bare minimum,” he said.
“At the same time the city is maintaining or improving programs, services and infrastructure for residents.”
Mr Cowie said councillors were set to meet to discuss the 2017-18 budget at a special council meeting on July 4.
