Shire opposes Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Bill

THE Surf Coast Shire council is opposing the Victorian government’s Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) Bill and associated levy, joining several councils across the state against the proposal.

Councillors voted, at their meeting last week, to write to Premier Jacinta Allan and government ministers to advocate for the ESVF bill and levy to be abandoned, or, if the bill goes ahead, for the state government to remove the requirement for councils to collect the levy on its behalf.

If the bill passes, the council is also requesting the levy formula be recalculated so that it does not place a disproportionate financial burden on rural and regional communities, and that the Victorian government guarantees any funds collected from rural communities will be directly invested into emergency services funding for those same communities.

Cr Joel Grist moved a notice of motion at last week’s meeting, stating the proposed bill would have significant impacts on regional ratepayers and place an administrative burden on councils required to collect the levy.

The motion noted the proposed changes from the existing Fire Services Property Levy – which the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund would replace – would disproportionately affect primary producers in the shire.

The new fund would cause an 189 per cent increase in the variable component of the levy for primary production land.

According to the motion’s information report from shire chief executive officer Robyn Seymour, the ESVF bill would cost Surf Coast Shire ratepayers an extra $5 million for the 2025-26 financial year.

Shire mayor Mike Bodsworth said the agricultural community was one of the top five industries in the local area and would be hit hardest if the bill passed through parliament.

“The levy would mean increased costs across all property types, but the biggest impact would be on our farmers.

“It would place an unfair and substantial burden on primary production land owners at a time when they’re already under financial pressure as a result of the drought.”

Cr Bodsworth said the Victorian government’s plan to have councils collect the levy was a cost-shifting exercise.

“Not only will this method place a heavy strain on council resources, it will no doubt also be seen by many ratepayers as a council fee, resulting in reputational damage.

“Thank you to Cr Grist for doing the work on this motion and putting it forward, and to fellow councillors for supporting it.

“It’s important that we’re advocating on this issue for a better outcome for our community.”

In line with the resolution, the council will carry out its advocacy before Monday, May 12.

Speaking in Parliament about the bill, Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes said the ESVF was about sustainable funding for equipment, recruitment, training and and response.

“When it comes to the average farm, the increase that is proposed – and that will obviously be subject to the Parliament’s consideration of the legislation – is around $13 a week.

“This is a levy as a percentage of operating costs of an average farm. It turns out to be very, very small.

“The average increase in liability from the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund for 2025–‍26 is equivalent to 0.5 to 0.8 per cent of the value of agricultural production.”