General News
27 May, 2025
Council opposes new ESVF
Central Goldfields Shire council has joined local government across the state in a unified front against the recent emergency services levy.
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), representing the state’s 79 councils, have resolved to oppose the State Government’s use of local councils for levy collection.
MAV president Cr Jennifer Anderson said the organisation had “strongly” opposed the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) prior to it being passed earlier this month.
“It’s pleasing that our State Council has provided a united voice for the local government sector on the need to continue this advocacy and highlight the need for further reform of the ESVF,” she said.
The ESVF replaces the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL), which was also collected by council, in an effort to fund more of the state’s emergency services including the CFA through to SES and Triple Zero Victoria.
The MAV’s full resolution includes adequate administration funding for local government, State Government to engage directly with communities, levy collection to be done by the state, ensure an equitable funding model, improve transparency, conduct ongoing economic impact assessments, and ensure the collected funds are distributed equitably.
Pyrenees mayor and MAV Delegate Cr Tanya Kehoe recognised the ESVF’s impact on regional communities.
“It is not just some councils, the financial and mental impact on our entire farming community will be exponential,” she said.
It’s a sentiment echoed in a statement from the Central Goldfields Shire council last week.
“This new fund, which is actually a state tax, will greatly impact regional Victoria, particularly our farmers who will carry a disproportionate share of the tax burden,” they said.
“Council, through sector advocacy efforts has and will continue to advocate for a fairer and more transparent collection of State taxes, rather than using council to collect increased taxes on their behalf.”
In a council meeting late last month, councillor Gerard Murphy discussed the impact of the ESVF on local government, following earlier discussion that the cost of living impacts everyone — including the local council.
“It’s really important to know, if someone doesn’t pay their rates, we still have to pay this State Government tax. So if 30 or 40 people don’t pay their rates we still have to pay it,” he said.
MAV’s resolution follows protests from those opposing the funds disproportionate impact on regional Victorians.
While every landowner will be impacted, primary producers are faced with a 150 percent increase on what they paid under the old levy — probably tens of thousands of dollars more in an already difficult economic environment.
Residential homeowner rates will increase by almost 100 percent — a variable rate of 8.7 cents per $1000 of a property’s capital improved value to 17.3 while the fixed charge will increase from $132 to $136.
The FSPL’s existing $50 concession for pensioners and veterans, and the fixed charge for eligible single farm enterprises, will continue under the new legislation.
A partial drought rebate will also be available for eligible farmers, although the Central Goldfields Shire isn’t currently included as a drought affected area.
Further information on the ESVF and its changes can be found on the State Government’s website.