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GREATER HAMILTON
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024
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COUNCIL AWARDS CONTRACTS FOR WORKS AND DEMOLITION PROJECTS
Christmas carols, candlelight and a considerable crowd
HUNDREDS of people gathered at the Hamilton Botanic Gardens on Friday night for the annual Carols by Candlelight celebration. This year, the family event run by local churches supported Standing Tall. Kids activities began at 6.30pm with locals gathering on picnic rugs and chairs to watch the carols at 8pm. The evening featured a wide selection of local soloists and 241213gg032 performers including the Hamilton Singers (pictured) who sang Christmas Is Coming and Brazilian Christmas Carol. More photos on pages 8 and 17. Photo: GLENN GUY.
REGIONAL VICTORIANS SLUGGED LIZZIE HALLAM
The government said the extra revenue will
REGIONAL households will be hit up for go towards making sure emergency volunteer an extra $60 a year on average, to help fund services have the resources they need to keep emergency services as part of a series of Victorians safe and to help them recover. tax hikes being introduced by the Victorian This includes VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the Government. The Fire Services Protection Levy (FSPL), currently paid by council ratepayers, will be replaced from July 1 next year with a new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF). Former Glenelg Shire councillor and Tahara farmer, John Northcott said, “what can you say?” “There’s so many things to get angry about,” he said. “The state of the things is terrible. “You’ve just got to look – there’s another 2-3 businesses in town closing down. “There’s 100 houses for sale in Port Fairy – there’s so many things going on. “They should just cap it (the ESVF) at CPI at two per cent, for example. “It’s outrageous to slug Victorians with this increase.” Last Friday, minister Jaclyn Symes announced more than $250 million to support CFA and VICSES volunteers across the state.
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State Control Centre, Emergency Management Victoria, Emergency Recovery Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria, in addition to the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria. Importantly, emergency service volunteers will
be exempted from the ESVF. Active volunteers and life members won’t have to pay the ESVF on their primary place of residence (such as a house or farm). Continued: PAGE 2
TO fund resources for emergency services, Victorian households will be hit with a rise in the former Fire Services Protection Levy (to be 240327lf0023 replaced by the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund) from July 1, 2025. Photo: LARA FITZPATRICK.
TARRINGTON HAY BALE ART WINNERS AND PICTURES