Rates top of agenda

Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek will open the 40th annual Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Group Conference in Geelong on Monday with a discussion on a Victorian municipal rating plan.

Grains group president Ross Johns said Victorian farmers were shocked to receive 2018 rates bills that had increased by up to 52 percent and the issue was at the top of the conference agenda.

“No other business could be expected to survive under such significant cost increases over such a short time period,” he said.

“The Victorian Government has committed to a full review of the rural rating system and we look forward to receiving the terms of reference and timeline for that review from Minister Somyurek at the Conference.”

The conference is from 9am to 5pm at Geelong’s Novotel Hotel.