NEW State Government tax hikes costing council rate payers about $60 extra per annum will help pay for a cash injection to Victoria's emergency services.
It will mean that CFA and VICSES active volunteers and life members won't have to pay what will be the equivalent of the existing Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) from July 1, 2025 when it is renamed the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).
The residential ESVF tax will rise from the current 8.7 cents per $1000 capital improved value (CIV) to 17.3 (cents per $1000 CIV).
Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes said every dollar of this new fund will support VICSES, Emergency Management Victoria and other emergency services as well as the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria.
"Because our volunteers give our state so much, active CFA and VICSES volunteers and life members will be eligible for an exemption from paying the ESVF on their primary place of residence – such as their home or farm – providing even more incentive for Victorians to consider volunteering in our emergency services," Ms Symes said.
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"We’ve also announced a $250 million package that will set up a VICSES and CFA fleet replacement program, delivering new and upgraded trucks, tankers and pumpers.
"We’re also doubling our Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment grants, upgrading the VicEmergency app and boosting VICSES training.
"Volunteers love what they do – they don’t do it for the recognition.
"But they should have the equipment, training and support they need to keep our communities safe."
Like the FSPL, the ESVF will be calculated based on a fixed charge that varies by property type, and a variable charge based on property value.
Pensioners, veterans and single farm enterprises will continue to receive concessions.
And the ESVF will still be collected through local councils.
The ESVF announcement was part of a string of tax hikes in government's mid-year budget update last Friday.
