LOCAL and State Government representatives have put the hard word on the State Government, slamming the treasurer for more than $42m in emergency services tax, about to hit Western Victoria.


Western Victoria MP, Bev McArthur, has hammered the Treasurer in Parliament over Labor’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.


“We now know this tax will double the bills in my electorate: $10.9m will be cut from Moyne’s economy, $8.9m from Corangamite, $7.8m from Southern Grampians, $7.7m from Glenelg and $6.8m from Warrnambool,” she said.


“That is $42m, nearly twice this year’s levy.


“I raised previously the anger expressed by councils forced to be unpaid tax collectors for the state government despite the fact there is no guarantee the money will come back to their areas.


“The State Government has failed to respond to (local media) questions on this issue.


“So, on behalf of the Gazette CFA, which has three fire trucks that are more than 30 years old, I ask the Treasurer: How much of the doubled tax, the $42m taken from the south-west’s economy, will be returned in desperately needed new equipment for volunteer brigades?”


West Wimmera Shire has formally made representation to the Premier and Minister for Local Government, calling for a review of the collection process for the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).


Labelling it and “unfair emergency services fund levy” a spokesperson for the shire said council believed the current system unfairly burdens local governments and rural communities.


In December 2024, the Victorian Government announced the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) would be replaced by the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), effective from 1 July 2025.


Residential properties could see charges increase by up to 50% compared with the previous FSPL, while rural properties will face a 36% increase in costs.


The new levy raises significant concerns for West Wimmera Shire Council, with ratepayers facing substantial additional costs that could further strain already stretched budgets.


Mayor Tim Meyer said the new fund would place undue financial strain on the community.


“This is utterly despicable – a clear example of the government shifting the financial burden onto local government,” he said.


“They are passing the buck onto councils and it’s an absolute disgrace.


“Council is not allowed to put up its own rates more than the cost of living, meanwhile the State Government is increasing this levy by as much as 50%, and then passing it on to us, so we get the blame from ratepayers.”


Cr Meyer said many people in regional communities would struggle to afford the increased cost of the new levy.


“The additional financial burden comes at a time when many are already struggling with rising costs,” he said.


“This is not a tax we can pass on to our residents without serious consequences.”


Council’s letter to the Premier and Minister for Local Government stressed the collection of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund should be managed directly by the State Government.


This would streamline the process and relieve local councils of an unnecessary administrative burden.