“However, this figure does not account for exemptions, as these are still unknown.”
Active volunteers and life members of Victorian Emergency Services will not have to pay the fund on their primary place of residence, such as a house or farm.
Similar to the Fire Services Property Levy, the fund will be calculated based on a fixed charge that varies by property type, and a variable charge based on property value. Pensioners, veterans and single farm enterprises will continue to receive concessions.
“We already have approximately eight per cent of rates arrears properties that we must pursue via either debt collection and/or the sale of properties via the Local Government Act 1989, section 181 process,” Cr Zanker said.
“The fund will place further financial strains on our residential rate payers, and it is envisaged we will see our rates arrears increase in the coming years, due to this fund being applied.
“If the community is not informed about how this fund is being administered and the reasons for its introduction, it is likely council may face criticism and reputational damage, as it will be deemed a council-imposed levy.”
The fund’s scope is larger than the levy it replaces, and is set to contribute up to 95 per cent of more emergency response budgets, including VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria.
An increase in emergency response and ageing truck fleets have led to the changes to the fund. The levy funds 87.5 per cent of Fire Rescue Victoria’s annual budget and 77.5 per cent of CFA’s; the fund will contribute up to 87.5 per cent of FRV’s budget and up to 95 per cent of several other emergency response budgets.
Cr Meyer said residential properties could see charges increase by up to 50 per cent compared with the previous levy, while rural properties would face a 36 per cent increase in costs.
“Council is not allowed to put up its own rates more than the cost-of-living, meanwhile the State Government is increasing this levy by as much as 50 per cent, and then passing it on to us, so we get the blame from ratepayers,” he said.
“The additional financial burden comes at a time when many are already struggling with rising costs.
“This is not a tax we can pass on to our residents without serious consequences.”
West Wimmera Shire Council has written a letter to the State Premier and Local Government Minister stressing the collection of the fund should be managed directly by the State Government, to streamline the process and relieve councils of an administrative duty.
Cr Ismay said the fund was another burden to council.
“It is a cost-shifting exercise imposed on local government without consultation or form of appropriate renumeration,” he said.
“To add insult to injury, this fee is on our rate notice and interpreted as a shire cost by many.
“In my opinion, no renumeration – and there have been suggestions of such – would make this task something I would want to take on as a business and it is very disappointing that the State Government has forced this on councils.”
The Emergency Services Volunteer Fund will replace the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1.
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