Notice of Motion – Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund
Published on 26 June 2025
Council has re-affirmed its opposition to the Victorian Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) resolving to write to the Allan Government to formally oppose the ESVF.
The Notice of Motion was raised by Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Councillor Grace La Vella and passed unanimously by Councillors at last night’s Council Meeting (25/06).
The letter will record Council’s opposition to the introduction of the ESVF due to the detrimental fiscal impact of the levy on the farming sector and the State Government’s unilateral decision to financially burden local councils with the collection of the levy, rather than using the State Revenue Office.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr La Vella said Councillors were committed to doing everything in their power to lobby against the ESVF.
“We as Councillors are united in our view that the levy is unfair and we refuse to sit back while our community is unfairly penalised.
“It shifts financial burden to our rural communities who are already doing it tough with rising costs and current drought conditions.
“Whilst we welcome the 12-month reprieve for farmers – the concern for the hike in the levy for residential and commercial property owners remains – along with the issue that our farming community are set to face the same significant tax hike in 12 months’ time.
“The ESVF will not only place a burden disproportionately on already strained ratepayers - it will also have a significant impact on Council.
“The cost alone to administer this extra tax collection is huge - and this will ultimately impact the services we deliver to the community.
“Emergency services should be funded through the State’s general revenue – just like other essential public services.
“We have and continue to advocate to the State Government for a more considered approach. As part of collaboration with the Loddon Campaspe Group of Councils, the Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils, and peak bodies like the Municipal Association of Victorian and the Victorian Local Governance Association – our message is clear – without strategy, consultation, and fairness, the ESVF risks doing more harm than good.”
The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) is a new Victorian Government levy (replacing the Fire Services Property Levy) due to be introduced on 1 July, 2025.
Central Goldfields Shire has projected that if fully implemented in the coming financial year, the increased amount paid by its ratepayers would $890,000.