Swan Hill Rural City Council has welcomed recent announcements regarding the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy, signalling positive progress towards easing the financial burden on farmers and rural communities.
The Victorian Labor Party has announced it will permanently freeze the ESVF levy on farmland if re-elected, while both the Coalition and One Nation have committed to scrapping the levy altogether.
Mayor Cr Stuart King said the announcements were encouraging and reflected the ongoing advocacy of Council and peak bodies, including Rural Councils Victoria (RCV), the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and Regional Cities Victoria (RCV).
"Council has been vocal in its opposition to this levy from the outset, particularly the unfair financial burden it places on our farmers, residents and rural communities.
"It is pleasing to see these concerns being acknowledged and commitments being made to address them.
"Our farmers are already facing significant challenges, from rising operating costs to seasonal pressures, and any relief from additional financial burdens is welcome," Cr King said.
Cr King highlighted that the position of Swan Hill Rural City Council remained unchanged.
"We believe this levy is unfair to all Victorians, and we will continue advocating for its complete removal.
The announcements demonstrate the importance of strong, coordinated advocacy on behalf of regional communities.
"Alongside our regional partners, we have consistently raised concerns about the design and impact of this levy, including the additional administrative burden placed on local government.
"These latest commitments show that when rural communities speak with a united voice, our concerns can be heard.
"While these announcements are encouraging, we want to see meaningful, lasting outcomes that deliver fairness for all ratepayers, not just one sector of our community," Cr King concluded.
