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Gippsland fire services property levy to double due to mismanagement by Victoria Labor government, warns Tim Bull

Tim Bull warns the Fire Services Property Levy will double due to the state Labor government's financial mismanagement, shifting costs from general revenue to homeowners, businesses, and farmers with drastic increases.

By news@gippsland - 16th December 2024 - Back to News

Get set for your Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) to double as the result of this hopeless state Labor government not being able to manage money. This is the warning from Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, who said last week's announcement the FSPL would double, was nothing more than a cash grab to pay for services that were previously funded out of general revenue in the annual state budget.

Tim Bull warns the state Labor government's mismanagement will double the Fire Services Property Levy, shifting costs from general revenue to taxpayers

Emergency fund increases

Mr Bull said, "Homeowners, businesses and farmers will be paying at least double, and in some cases more, with the FSPL to be rebranded the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF). Victorian homeowners can now expect to pay 17.3 cents for every $1,000 in Capital Improved Value - up from 8.7 cents. Commercial, industrial and primary production landowners face increases of 100 percent, 64 percent and 189 percent respectively."

Mr Bull said what Premier Jacinta Allan and recently resigned Treasurer Tim Pallas won't tell you, is these services (Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria, SES and Emergency Recovery Victoria) were all previously funded via general revenue. "In that case, we should be seeing tax cuts to compensate given we are to pay for these agencies and services through a different process, but that has not and will not occur."

Tax increases exposed

Mr Bull also said, "The government recently cut tens of millions of dollars from Triple Zero Victoria, the CFA and SES and now wants to paint itself as a white knight for taxing you more to give the money back they cut from these critical services."

"These are all important agencies we need, and we need funding well, but the bottom line is if these two managed the budget properly there would be no need for these whopping increases. However, they have got themselves into a situation where they have a debt hitting $187 billion and $26 million a day in interest."

"That is where this comes from, it's simply taxing your hip pocket more and attempting to sugarcoat it. The announcement came on the back of the mid-year budget review, which showed Victoria was $1.5 billion worse off than forecast by the former Treasurer six months ago. The excuse he gave was 'additional funding was provided to hospitals', which of course comes after the health budget was previously cut by $2 billion!" said Mr Bull.

Pictures from Tim Bull MP website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost.
• Latrobe City Council ranks among Victoria's Top Five for Community Satisfaction in 2026 Snap Send Solve index
  Latrobe City Council has ranked fifth in Victoria for community satisfaction, scoring 64.6 in the 2026 Snap Send Solve Index, exceeding both national and Victorian averages.
• Yarragon weekend escape offers country hospitality, local flavours, shopping and scenic West Gippsland adventures
  Yarragon offers an easy West Gippsland weekend escape from Melbourne, combining boutique shopping, local food and wine, scenic walks, galleries, markets and welcoming country accommodation.
• The Nationals' $5 Better Roads Plan promises pothole repairs and long-term maintenance across neglected Gippsland road network
  The Nationals' $5 billion Better Roads plan would tackle Gippsland's deteriorating roads, repair one million potholes, restore preventative maintenance and establish Better Roads Victoria for improved standards.
• Darren Chester urges federal government to restore wild dog funding, backing farmers' calls for national management certainty
  Shadow Minister Darren Chester is urging the federal government to restore national wild dog funding, warning of $302 million annual agricultural losses and significant impacts on farmers, wildlife and regional communities.
• Darren Chester congratulates Maffra student Jaxon Marshall on National Youth Parliament selection representing Gippsland in Canberra
  Maffra Secondary College student Jaxon Marshall will represent Gippsland at the 2026 National Youth Parliament, earning praise from Darren Chester for bringing regional and agricultural perspectives to Canberra.
• The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
  The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development.
• New Bairnsdale worker accommodation nears completion, boosting healthcare workforce capacity across East Gippsland communities
  Bairnsdale new 28-apartment healthcare worker accommodation is nearing completion, providing affordable housing for up to 32 staff and strengthening regional health services while supporting local jobs and investment.
• Statement from CEO Tilla Buden - Councillor Ben Lucas to contest Victorian state election
  West Ward Councillor Ben Lucas will contest the Victorian State Election on 28 November 2026. He plans to seek leave from Council, with administrative arrangements underway to ensure Council operations and procedures continue during his absence.
• Heyfield childcare faces closure after losing federal funding, putting local families, educators and essential community services at risk
  Heyfield's only childcare service faces closure after losing $270,000 in federal funding, prompting Darren Chester to seek urgent assistance while a Senate inquiry examines rural and regional child care access.
• Latrobe City Council records strongest planning performance, leads Victoria in statutory decision timeframes
  Latrobe City Council has achieved its strongest planning performance, with 95.44 percent of applications decided within statutory timeframes following streamlined delegation reforms introduced in May 2025.
• Wellington Shire Council opposes mandatory fourth glass recycling bin, urging Victoria to allow council flexibility instead
  Wellington Shire Council has again urged the Victorian government to scrap mandatory household glass bins, citing costs, practicality and existing Container Deposit Scheme success while seeking greater flexibility for regional councils.
• Melina Bath honours Colin "Stocky" Stockdale for 63 years of outstanding CFA service to South Gippsland community
  Melina Bath congratulated Colin "Stocky" Stockdale on receiving the CFA's highest honour, recognising his 63 years of leadership, mentorship and dedicated service protecting South Gippsland communities.
• Tarwin River partnership launches six projects for catchment restoration and community stewardship across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland CMA has launched Together for the Tarwin, funding six projects over 18 months to restore wetlands, waterways and habitats while strengthening community stewardship across the Tarwin catchment.
• Carran Carran restoration project strengthens river health, habitat connectivity and flood resilience across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland CMA's long-term Carran Carran restoration project is improving river health, reducing flood-related avulsion risks, restoring habitat connectivity, controlling willows and supporting native fish, agriculture and communities.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges election candidates to fund critical projects before Victorian state election in November
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to fund critical local projects, including road upgrades, trails, sporting infrastructure, business development and a new West Gippsland Hospital.
• Metung mother Lily Martyn establishes foundation supporting neurodivergent children, young people and families across Gippsland
  Metung mother Lily Martyn has launched Do It For Foundation Gippsland, supporting neurodivergent children, young people and families. The foundation has connected 95 East Gippsland families seeking support, understanding and practical solutions.
• Venus Bay IRB Women's Rescue Team, Morrie Tatnell and Jessica Woodward recognised as one of the winners for the Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence 2026
  Life Saving Victoria celebrates volunteer lifesavers, aquatic professionals and organisations at Awards of Excellence, recognising outstanding contributions to keeping Victoria’s waterways safe.
• Moondarra Reservoir gains new pathway and native garden beds, enhancing recreation, accessibility and Aboriginal cultural connections
  Gippsland Water has completed a new pathway and native garden beds at Moondarra Reservoir, improving visitor access, enhancing recreation and incorporating local flora, Aboriginal cultural information and community collaboration.
• Stallholder applications open for 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo connecting families and community services
  Stallholder applications have opened for the 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo, offering organisations and entertainers the chance to connect with thousands of local families during National Children's Week celebrations.