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Bass Coast Council demands transparency and fairness in proposed emergency services and volunteers fund rollout

Bass Coast Shire Council is pushing for transparency and fairness in the proposed Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, citing cost impacts and calling for clarity on local reinvestment and administration.

By news@gippsland - 17th April 2025 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council is stepping up its advocacy against the state government's proposed Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), passing a motion at its April council meeting to demand greater transparency and fairness around the rollout of the new levy.

From 1 July 2025, a new emergency services levy may increase costs. Bass Coast Council is pushing for fairer, transparent outcomes

Emergency levy changes

From 1 July 2025, the ESVF will replace the current Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL), which appears on rates notices. This proposed change is being made by the State Government to help fund a wider range of emergency services, not just the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria, but also SES, Triple Zero, Forest Fire Management, and more.

Under the proposed legislation, councils across Victoria would become responsible for collecting the levy, taking on significant new administrative duties. Council is concerned that under this new model, ratepayers across the board, particularly farmers and commercial landowners, will face higher charges, without a clear return on investment for the Bass Coast community. That's why the council is advocating for a fairer approach.

Levy impact report

The motion calls for a detailed report to be presented at the May council meeting outlining:

• Total amount of additional revenue the State will receive from the increased levy
• Impacts on council from the administrative responsibilities transferred from the state
• How the State Government is communicating the increase to local communities
• How much revenue collected from the levy will be reinvested locally
• What support mechanisms will be in place for those unable to afford the levy in light of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis

The motion also reaffirms council's support for advocacy efforts by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) on this issue.

Unfair levy burden

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead, said the new levy was set to unfairly burden rural and coastal communities. Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead, who also represents Gippsland as Gippsland's Regional Board Director of the MAV, will continue to advocate on behalf of the community through MAV. Council will have representation at their state council meeting in May.

"Bass Coast ratepayers will be asked to pay an additional $5.77 million under this levy. That's a 55 per cent increase - well above what many in our community can afford, especially our farmers who could see rate hikes of up to 150 percent."

"The State has the systems in place through the State Revenue Office to manage and collect levies like this. Councils do not. This new model is inefficient, it duplicates effort, and it takes valuable resources away from the services our communities rely on. We support strong emergency services," Cr Halstead said.

Protect our communities

Cr Halstead said, "But this model risks punishing the very people who are already volunteering, already on the front lines, and already feeling the weight of rising costs. We're asking the state government to pause and reconsider. Use the systems already in place. Work with local government - not against it - and most importantly, protect communities that are doing it tough."

This motion comes just weeks before parliamentary debate resumes on the ESVF legislation, scheduled for 13 May 2025. This is a critical moment. The decisions being made will affect every ratepayer in Bass Coast and Victoria.

Council encourages our community to stay informed, ask questions, and speak up. More information is available at the Department of Treasury and Finance website. Community members can voice their concerns directly to the Victorian Government by emailing dtfweb@dtf.vic.gov.au or sending a letter to Department of Treasury and Finance, 1 Treasury Place, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com