Community
9 July, 2026
Communities urged to fight ESVF
RURAL Councils Victoria is urging residents to continue fighting against the state government’s Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy.
Rural Councils Victoria chair councillor Rob Amos said the call comes as last week marked on year since the introduction of the ESVF.
“Farmers and some other rural landholders are currently benefiting from a levy waiver, which makes it feel like this issue has gone away,” he said.
“But that’s just an election-year fix so the government can sidestep community angst.
“Labor remains committed to imposing this bad tax in full if it wins the election.”
Rural Councils Victoria has long urged Labor to go back to the drawing board and design a levy that spreads the responsibility of raising funds for the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and other emergency service bodies more fairly.
Leading into the November state election, both the Coalition and One Nation have pledged to scrap the ESVF levy in its current form.
However, neither political group has detailed its alternative funding model for emergency services.
Cr Amos said whoever takes power in November, the ESVF will need to be revisited.
He said unless the law is changed, regional and rural Victorians could face “substantial increases” once the waivers and carveouts expire.
“The dragon isn’t dead, it’s just sleeping,” Cr Amos said.
“The problem is not fixed. It’s just been kicked into the long grass.
“Everybody agrees our emergency services should be funded properly, but that money must also be raised fairly and sustainably.”