Council
11 December, 2025
State announces fire levy reprieve
THE Victorian Government has announced changes to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) amid positive economic performance, but impacted volunteers are concerned of what will happen post-election if definitive changes are not made now.
Last Friday the State Government announced changes to the ESVF including no increase to the variable rate for primary production land, an increase to the volunteer rebate cap for farmland from $5 million to $10 million of capital improved value and a delay to the change for investment properties by 12 months.
The changes were made after the Allan Labor Government revealed it was on-track to its five-step fiscal strategy to deliver surpluses and drive down debt as a proportion of the economy.
Among the positive economic indicators was an operating surplus of $0.7 billion forecast for 2025-26, an improvement of about $100 million from the Victorian Budget 2025/26.
Net debt to Gross State Product (GSP) is forecast to fall to 24.9 per cent by the end of the forward estimates, consistent with the outlook from the Budget.
Net debt was also forecast to be $1.4 billion lower by the end of the forward estimates compared to the Budget handed down in May.
The Victorian Government has achieved an operating cash surplus for the past three years, including a surplus of $3.2 billion in 2024-25.
Operating cash surpluses are also forecast across the forward estimates, reaching $6.1 billion in 2028-29.
Treasurer Jaclyn Symes said the government would seek to target cost of living to support families, jobs and businesses while opening major projects.
“Victoria’s economy is backed by our fiscal strategy, which is delivering a larger surplus, reducing debt as a share of the economy and investing in the things that matter most,” she said.
Country Fire Authority (CFA) Volunteers Group Inc secretary Leigh Harry said the decision to extend the ESVF tax exemption and rate increase was “a win we’ve fought for on behalf of CFA volunteers, farmers and rural communities” but warned temporary relief was problematic.
“Let’s be clear this last-minute announcement, timed before an election and conveniently pushing the tax beyond it, raises concerns,” he said.
“Many rural Victorians see this as tactical timing, designed to quiet unrest rather than fix the underlying problems.
“And despite the extension, far too many volunteers and landholders are still being left behind.”
Mr Harry said there were long-term concerns surrounding the financial burden of the ESVF until the government made definitive change to protect volunteers and primary producers.
“If the Allan Government is re-elected, they may claim a mandate to continue or even expand the ESVF tax, given that the levy is now delayed until voters go to the polls,” he said.
“Our message is simple – fairness shouldn’t be temporary, selective or politically timed.
“The CFA Volunteers Group has pushed relentlessly for real, lasting reform.
“This extension only happened because volunteers, farmers and rural communities stood together and demanded better.
“We will keep fighting until every CFA volunteer and rural property owner gets the recognition and support they deserve – without political games.”
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