Rural Councils Victoria steps up campaign against fire services levy

Rural councils are stepping up their campaign against the rebranded fire services levy. Here’s their latest move.

Farmers will see a “big red box” on their upcoming rates notices, notifying them of the cost of the rebranded fire services levy, Rural Councils Victoria has flagged.

In May, Premier Jacinta Allan announced a one-year pause on the contentious tax hike — branded as the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund — following concerns over the drought and a mass farmer rally on Spring Street,

However, Rural Councils Victoria chairman Rob Amos said the ESVF remained state government policy, with the potential to be imposed on landholders from July 2026.

Writing in the latest edition of The Weekly Times, Mr Amos said the state government was “expecting local councils to do its dirty work and collect this levy on its behalf.”

The Campaspe Shire councillor said many municipalities would publish the cost of the ESVF in a red box on rates notices to alert ratepayers to the reforms.

“This unfair tax will crush farm budgets and rip millions from rural towns and communities,” Mr Amos said.

“Despite some minor tweaks and temporary exemptions for landowners in drought affected areas, this tax remains official Victorian Government policy.

“At a time when there are so many challenges and opportunities facing Victoria it’s regrettable that rural communities are being forced to expend so much time and effort fighting this ill-conceived levy.”

To secure crossbench support for the levy, Treasurer Jaclyn Symes in May agreed to reduce the variable rate charged to farmers from 83 cents for every $1000 of a property’s capital improved value to 71.8 cents.

The rate currently stands at 28.7 cents and after the May announcement, will remain at that level for one year.

Originally published as Rural Councils Victoria steps up campaign against fire services levy