18 June 2025, Cr Liesbeth Long – Dunolly Welcome Record
Many of you will have heard about the new Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund – ESVF that was passed in parliament recently. For those wondering “What is all this fuss about?”, allow me to give a brief oversight below:
The Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF), has become a highly contentious issue in Victoria due to its significant financial impact on property owners, particularly in rural areas. Key Reasons for the controversy are:
1. Substantial Financial Burden on Rural Landowners
The ESVF replaces the previous Fire Services Property Levy and introduces higher rates. For example, farmers’ rates have increased from 28.7 cents to 71.8 cents per $1,000 of property value. This change has led to some farmers facing annual levy increases from $14,000 to nearly $40,000, or from $27,000 to over $77,000, depending on land values. Couple this with the current drought, farmers are feeling let down and ‘hung out to dry’.
2. Perceived Inequity and Lack of Targeted Support
Critics argue that the levy disproportionately affects rural communities and volunteers who already contribute significantly to emergency services. While the government has done a temporary back-flip and provided some concessions, such as a one-year reprieve for farmers and rebates for certain volunteers, many feel these measures are insufficient and that the levy does not adequately support local emergency services.
3. Administrative Costs and Implementation Concerns
The rollout of the levy includes $12 million in administrative costs, raising questions about the efficiency of the fund and whether all collected funds will directly benefit emergency services.
4. Political and Community Opposition
The levy has faced widespread opposition from various stakeholders, including farmers, Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers, and local councils, who will collect the levy on behalf of the State Government, through their annual rates notices.
There have been and continue to be protests and some CFA brigades have stood down in response to the levy. Additionally, some councils have expressed reluctance to collect the levy, citing concerns over local government autonomy.
It is a very concerning situation.
Cr Liesbeth Long
Flynn Ward
https://www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/Whats-Happening/Latest-News/Media-Releases/18-June-2025-Cr-Liesbeth-Long-Dunolly-Welcome-Record