Please note: this is an archived news article release
This article was published on Friday, 16 May, 2025. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.
Posted on Friday 16th of May, 2025,
Greater Shepparton City Council has expressed its deep disappointment following the passing of the Victorian Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) legislation in the upper house yesterday. The new legislation, set to replace the existing Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) from 1 July 2025, is expected to significantly increase the financial burden on residents, farmers, and local businesses across regional Victoria.
In Summary
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said Council is extremely disappointed that the Fund will lead to money being directly taken from regional Victoria.
“This legislation will result in millions of additional dollars being collected from regional communities like Greater Shepparton,” Cr Sali said.
“For our municipality alone, this change means an increase of more than $4.7 million compared to what is currently collected under the FSPL. Under the new structure, the primary production variable rate will rise sharply from 28.7 cents to 71.8 cents per $1,000 of Capital Improved Value (CIV), a shift that disproportionately affects regional and rural areas.
In addition to the financial impact on regional communities, Cr Sali highlighted the ongoing trend of cost shifting from the State Government to local councils.
“Councils are increasingly funding services that should be a State responsibility, everything from libraries and school crossings to maternal and child health, kindergartens, waste, and environmental management,” he said.
“Now we are being asked to absorb not just the financial hit as landowners, but also the potential cost and complexity of collecting this new tax on behalf of the State.”
Council is particularly concerned about the administrative implications of the new levy, as local governments have received no clear guidance on how it will be implemented or whether current systems can support the change.
“We are awaiting advice from the State Government on how Councils are expected to manage this transition,” Cr Sali said.
“Without adequate resourcing, this policy risks adding significant administrative and reputational burdens to Councils across Victoria.”
The legislation designates Councils as the collection agents for the new fund, requiring adjustments to rates notices and internal systems to accommodate the more complex structure of the ESVF.
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