Council
23 May, 2025
SWVA slams increased costs
SOUTH West Victoria Alliance (SWVA) is calling out the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) as unfair, unreasonable, and a massive hit to regional communities.
This new levy is now baked into the Victorian Budget, delivered Tuesday by Treasurer Jaclyn Symes.
Property owners in the Corangamite Shire who had previously paid a total of $4,539,828 towards the Fire Services Levy can now expect to pay a total of $8,849,518 through the ESVF – an increase of 95 per cent.
Meanwhile, Moyne property owners will see an increase of 117 per cent from $5,014,421 to $10,900,028 in total collected through rates.
Across the SWVA region, comprising the Shires of Corangamite, Colac Otway, Moyne, Glenelg and Southern Grampians and the City of Warrnambool, there will be a doubling of payments to the state government in the transition from the Fire Services Levy to the ESVF – an average increase of 100 per cent.
The SWVA said the Victorian Government was turning councils into tax collectors by shifting the collection of the ESVF onto them, putting more pressure on rural ratepayers already stretched thin.
Farmers and primary producers have said they arealready struggling, with the levy adding increased financial pressures on top of prolonged and severe drought conditions and rising costs across the board.
The SWVA said this highlighted the urgent need for a fair and equitable funding model that supports, rather than penalises, the communities who form the backbone of Victoria’s emergency response capabilities.
The SWVA said many CFA volunteers, who already give their time and raise their own funds to protect their communities, are walking away due to facing higher costs.
SWVA chair Ben Blain said the tax will hurt communities, and SWVA is calling on the government to find a better way.
“It’s time for the Victorian Government to rethink this,” he said.
“Our communities deserve a fair go, and a fairer way to fund emergency services.”
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