by Emma Ballingall
Residents have every right to be furious about a proposed new tax which will strip $5.37 million from the pockets of Baw Baw Shire ratepayers, according to mayor Danny Goss.
Farmers are expected to be “those punished most” - paying almost double the previous fire services levy - followed by business owners and industrial landholders.
The average residential ratepayer will see $67 added to their rates notice. 
And, Cr Goss alleged money collected would not remain local and serve only to “benefit our city cousins.” 
Using his mayoral minute at the recent council meeting, Cr Goss predicted Baw Baw Shire copping the blame if the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) is introduced across every Victorian council on July 1. It is set to replace the existing Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL). 

“This is a straight out tax imposed by the cash-strapped state governm