Council opposes Emergency Services and Volunteers Levy

Published on 28 May 2025

Last night Councillors unanimously moved a motion confirming Council's strong opposition to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Levy.

Council has previously written to the Treasurer and Minister for Local Government expressing that the levy has a disproportionate financial burden on rural and regional communities, like ours, especially primary producers.

Council will continue to advocate for the Shire and join the many other councils opposing the levy.

"9.1 Item of urgent business - Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund

MOTION

That Council:

1. Notes that Council has previously written to the Treasurer and Minister Local Government noting our concerns with the Emergency Services and Volunteers Levy (ESVF) and undertaken various advocacy against the levy;
2. Directs the Mayor to write to the Premier expressing Council's strong opposition to the levy, noting the levy's disproportionate financial burden on rural and regional communities and especially primary producers, calling on the State Government to repeal the levy in its current form; and
3. Calls on the State Government to amend legislation to remove the requirement for councils to collect the levy on its behalf, noting the legislation will have significant impacts on regional ratepayers and place an administrative burden on councils required to collect the levy."

Minutes from the Council meeting will be available in the coming days and can be found on our Agendas and minutes page.