Council Passes Urgent Motion Opposing New State Tax

At its scheduled Council Meeting yesterday, Swan Hill Rural City Council passed an urgent motion brought forward by Cr Lindsay Rogers, formally opposing the Victorian Government's newly legislated Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).

Watch the Urgent Motion

Cr Rogers moved the motion under Section 6.6 of the Governance Rules, highlighting the widespread concern, anger and frustration across the Swan Hill municipality and neighbouring rural communities.

"This is nothing more than an excessive tax grab targeting rural, honest working farming families and small businesses to plug the holes in the State's budget. It undermines trust in local government by shifting the burden and backlash onto councils," Cr Rogers said.

Council's Mayor, Cr Stuart King said Council stands in full solidarity with the many farmers, pensioners, and emergency services volunteers who rallied in Spring Street again today, united in their concern about the disproportionate impact this levy will have on regional communities already grappling with rising living costs.

"It is important for our community to understand that this is not a Council charge despite it being administered through Council rates notices. The State Government have deceptively tried to sugarcoat it by calling it a volunteer's fund, but it is a tax - and we do not support it. Emergency Services should be funded through existing State Revenue – not new taxes.

"The ESVF, as currently structured, fails to account for the distinct needs and challenges of regional Victoria. It risks deepening financial hardship for rural households and businesses, particularly at a time when many are struggling to stay afloat.

"Within our municipality, some primary producers face potential increases of up to 125%—a staggering and unsustainable burden that could have wider economic implications, including upward pressure on food prices across the state," Cr King said.

Cr King said our communities are exhausted from being consistently overlooked.

"The very government imposing this tax continues to shortchange our communities. Regional roads have fallen into dangerous disrepair, public transport is unreliable and chronically underfunded, and critical infrastructure—such as the long-overdue hospital redevelopment—remains incomplete and underprioritised.

"With our rate revenue capped, we're already expected to do more with less yet we're now being forced to carry the consequences of a State decision that will only increase community frustration.

"This tax is deeply unjust, and Council will not remain silent. We stand firmly with our residents and demand a fairer, more equitable approach," Cr King said.

The urgent motion, which was carried unanimously, calls on the Victorian Government to take immediate action.

Council will now write to the Allan Government to formally express its strong opposition to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) and urge its repeal.