Georges River Council wants residents and businesses to speak up. The NSW Government are asking for opinions on changes to how emergency services in NSW are funded.
The NSW Government is looking at how to fund services like Fire and Rescue NSW, the NSW Rural Fire Service, and the NSW State Emergency Service. The NSW Government are considering a new funding model.
Currently, much of the cost to fund these services is included in insurance premiums. This means people who insure their homes or businesses contribute more, while others may contribute less or not at all.
The NSW Government is now proposing to introduce a separate annual charge based on property value.
Georges River Council Mayor Elise Borg said the proposed changes might affect how much local households pay. They could also change what businesses pay each year.
"This is an important issue for our community because it could change how emergency services are funded and who pays," said Mayor Borg.
"Under the proposed model, some people in Georges River may end up paying more, due to higher property values in our area."
"It's important that residents and business owners understand what's being proposed and take the opportunity to share their views."
If the changes go ahead, a new annual charge may apply to properties. This charge could appear on council rates notices, although this has not yet been confirmed. The amount would depend on the value of the property.
The NSW Government is considering several options for how the charge could be calculated.
Mayor Borg said community feedback will play an important role in shaping the final decision.
"No final decision has been made, and this is your chance to share your thoughts," she said.
"We encourage everyone to find out more and provide feedback to help ensure the final model is fair for our community."
Community members are encouraged to visit the Parliament NSW submission webpage to give feedback before the 19 June 2026 deadline.
