Council
22 May, 2025
Volunteers stand united
COUNCILS have united to call on the State Government to rethink the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) Bill which passed Parliament last week.
Both Corangamite and Moyne shire councils called on the Victorian Government re-evaluate its passing of the ESVF.
While the bill will aim to provide greater funding to emergency services, it also represents a significantly higher tax on property owners.
Corangamite Shire Council mayor councillor Kate Makin said she was astonished to see the State Government take credit for funding paid for by the hard-working ratepayers of Corangamite Shire and other municipalities.
She said the scheme would cost farmers thousands of dollars a year more than the Fire Services Property Levy it replaced.
“Council is disappointed to see the ESVF Levy passed by Victorian Parliament and for the State Government to take credit for the extra funding is a slap in the face to the hard-working members of our community,” she said.
“While the rate to be paid by primary producers has been reduced from what was initially proposed, it still represents a significant increase.
“The way the levy is calculated will cost all ratepayers but is an especially hard hit for farmers who are already hard-hit by drought, cost-of-living pressures, bushfires, and economic challenges.
“It will have significant repercussions for the viability of businesses that are major contributors to the shire, regional and state economy.”
Cr Makin said there was also the human cost with extra stress added to the agriculture industry, an industry which is already battling a mental health epidemic.
“This makes council look like the bad guy which can’t be good for our relationship with the community we are here to support,” she said.
“There is also no guarantee funds collected from rural communities won’t be siphoned off to other parts of the state. Emergency services need to be funded in the places where the revenue is collected.
“Council recognises we are in one of the most fire-prone areas in the world, and it’s positive that the ESVF extends to the critically underfunded SES, but there are better ways to do it.”
Moyne Shire Council also slammed the ESVF, taking to social media condemning the tax.
In a statement, Moyne Shire Council said it was “disappointing” the rural community and agricultural sector would face a disproportionate financial burden.
“Parts of south west Victoria, including Moyne Shire, continue to experience record low rainfall, placing a heavy financial and emotional toll upon our rural communities and economy,” the statement said.
“Adding this levy will further affect farmers’ capacity to sustainably care for their families, livestock and environment.
“We implore the State Government to reconsider this legislation and listen to the concerns of those in rural communities who are disproportionately affected by the levy.”
Cr Makin said Corangamite, along with other rural councils across the state, has made multiple appeals to the State Government since the new system was first suggested.
The levy will increase costs for many rural ratepayers by more than 100 per cent, despite councils being restricted to a three per cent cap on rate increases.
Council’s initial analysis indicates it will extract $8.9 million from the local community, with little return to support emergency services.
The council values the critical role of emergency services and acknowledge the importance of supporting volunteers, however the implementation raises administrative concerns.
Systems for assessing and tracking volunteers also remain unclear.
These unresolved issues risk undermining the intended benefits of the policy.
Corangamite Shire Council calls on the State Government to reassess the funding model to ensure fairness for rural communities, shift levy collection responsibilities to the State Government, compensate councils if they must continue administering the levy and improve communication on the levy’s purpose and use.
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