Premier Jacinta Allan has spoken out in support of the controversial Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy following protests in Geelong.
Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria volunteers drove trucks and blarred sirens around Geelong on May 20 to protest the new levy after it passed in state parliament on May 16.
Ms Allan told the Independent on Friday, May 23, that the ESVF was needed as Victoria was one of the most fire-prone areas in the world, with natural disasters becoming more frequent and severe.
“All our emergency services, volunteers and workers are being asked to do more,” she said.
“In terms of providing additional support to volunteers, both CFA and SES are exempt from the levy, which again goes to the fact that they protect us and deserve our support.
“I’m focused on ensuring that our emergency services have the support, resources, equipment and tools that they need as they support us in some of the most difficult circumstances.”
The new levy replaced the existing Fire Services Property Levy, which was created because of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission’s recommendations following the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires.
Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the levy would hit ratepayers with significant increases in the state government charge, which will appear on rate notices.
“It was opposed by every Victorian council, the Country Fire Authority, Victorian Farmers’ Federation and the majority of the community, particularly farmers who will be particularly badly hit,” he said.
“I understand that the state government is looking to balance its budget; however, raising a new tax while our community is in the middle of an extreme cost of living crisis is not possible.
“Families, farmers and businesses in our community will be pushed to the wall by this increase, which will see the state collect over $55 million from our ratepayers in 2025-26, up from just under $37 million in 2024-25. That’s an increase of over 50 per cent.”
