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Victoria Passes Emergency Services Levy Overhaul Amid Protests

The new legislation replaces the fire services levy, doubles rates, and expands funding, but faces backlash from rural communities and firefighter groups.

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CFA volunteers like Lachlan Wrigley are leaving the service after the government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Levy passed state parliament. Picture by Lachlan Bence
Victoria's contentious new levy is expected to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services. Photo: Callum Godde/AAP PHOTOS
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Overview

  • The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund legislation passed in the early hours of May 16 and will take effect on July 1, replacing the Fire Services Property Levy.
  • The levy nearly doubles rates, increasing residential property charges and raising primary production land rates from 28.7 cents to 71.8 cents per $1000 of capital improved value.
  • A crossbench deal reduced farmer rates, introduced rebates for drought-affected farmers and eligible volunteers, and earmarked $110 million for fleet replacements.
  • Volunteer firefighters in regional brigades protested the increased levy by going offline, leaving some communities without fire protection overnight.
  • Critics, including the United Firefighters Union and opposition parties, argue the levy is a revenue grab to address state debt rather than a genuine emergency services funding reform.