Swan Hill Rural City Council is standing in solidarity with frustrated farmers, pensioners, and volunteers who rallied on the steps of Parliament House this week, voicing serious concerns over the Victorian Government's proposed Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).
Council's Mayor, Cr Stuart King said the new State Government-imposed tax will come into effect on 1 July 2025, replacing the current Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) has been met with strong opposition across regional communities because it will unfairly increase the financial burden on rural and regional households and primary producers
"Let's not sugarcoat this with fluffy words pretending it's a new Government service by calling this an Emergency Support Volunteers Fund, let's call it what it is – a tax!
"Although it will be administered through Council rates notices, it is important for our community to understand that this is not a Council charge—it is a tax imposed and legislated by the State Government – that we do not support.
"This transition is not fit for regional areas and the changes risk pushing more families, pensioners, and farmers into financial distress at a time when many are already struggling with rising living costs," Cr King said.
Cr King highlighted that under the new model, primary producers could face a staggering 125% increase in charges—an unsustainable cost that may have broader impacts, including increased food prices across Victoria.
"Remember it is often these primary producers who leave their farms and their families – even at peak times like harvest – to serve as volunteers for the CFA and SES when there are emergencies such as fires, floods and accidents.
"Our Council has been actively advocating through the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and Rural Councils Victoria (RCV), supporting their position that the ESVF is poorly designed, inequitable and unjustified," he said.
Cr King stressed that while the Fire Services Property Amendment Bill 2025 had now passed both houses of the Victorian Parliament, Council was urging the State to reconsider its implementation.
"We're also calling for any future levy to be administered by the State Revenue Office, not local government, to ensure accountability and transparency—and to make it clear to ratepayers that this is not a Council charge if it remains listed on local rates notices.
"Emergency services are vital—but so is fairness for regional communities. Regional Victorians must not be left to carry the burden of a poorly structured city-centric tax," Cr King said.
