Council urges Govt to review emergency services levy

Alpine Shire Council has written to Victorian Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, urging a review of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Levy (ESVF).

The letter, signed by the Council’s Mayor, Sarah Nicholas; Deputy Mayor, Peter Smith and Councillors, John Andersen, Dave Byrne, Gareth Graham, Jean-Pierre Ronco and Noah Tanzen expresses their concern about the roll out of the ESVF in its current form.

“Our communities have let us know that they are concerned about this new levy, which is a significant increase over the Fire Services Property Levy it replaces,” it states. 

“Whilst we recognise the need to fund vital emergency services, the levy being introduced is not a fair model as it targets farmers and other businesses, including small businesses, disproportionately. We have further concerns about adding this extra charge to the increasing cost of living burdens we are all experiencing and which may perversely affect those most in need of support, particularly those renting housing or other premises, as the cost is passed on. 

“We also recognise the need for the State of Victoria to recover economically from the funding opportunities provided for local economic stimulus after COVID 19, bushfires, floods and, for Alpine Shire, also landslip and road closures. We thank you for the significant support we have received but seek a more balanced approach for this recovery.”

The councillors states their concerns also include that the burden of collection of the levy is being placed upon Councils, “including reputational damage, that the roll out is rushed, not well defined and will cost Councils, such as to redesign rates notices”.

“Importantly, Councils are not currently protected from shortfalls should rate payers not pay the levy. This has the potential to reduce the capacity to deliver important local government services, particularly for Councils already in a deficit situation and with increasing materials and services costs.”

The Council is urging a review of the Levy to seek a way to more fairly distribute the charges and to enable consultation with Local Governments and communities around implementation and equity.

“A suggestion is to stagger introduction of the levy, allowing time for such a review. Building on the moratorium for primary producers this year, a 50% reduction for all other ratepayers would alleviate some of our immediate concerns.”

“Other matters we suggest should be reviewed, including the collection method and the exemption process,” the letter concludes.