Protesters rallied against the emergency services levy outside Victorian parliament on Tuesday, May 13. Photo: AAP Image/Callum Godde.
Weeks after the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund passed in Victorian parliament, many local farmers are feeling more disconnected from the state government than ever before.
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Ross Thomson, a farmer and CFA volunteer from Glenaroua, was among hundreds of volunteers who attended rallies at the steps of Victorian parliament in protest at the new levy.
Mr Thomson said what was most upsetting was the sense that the government had little understanding of the state’s regional communities.
“I think the really sad thing is that the Allan government is city-centric and has no empathy or understanding of rural and regional Victoria,” he said.
“I have been a volunteer for over 50 years in the CFA, and, like most farmers, I also run a private fire tanker.
“We not only fund private firefighting equipment, we also volunteer and risk our lives to put fires out in the community ... I think it’s very sad that the agriculture sector’s paying the lion’s share (of the ESVF).”
While farmers are set to be hit the hardest under the ESVF, Mr Thompson said it was important to note that the ripple effect would be felt across Victoria.
“I don’t know that people in metropolitan Victoria really understand that it’s going to affect everyone,” he said.
“My wife and I attended the rally in Melbourne the other day because the Allan government is not listening.”
The government recently announced that, as part of its expanded drought package, farmers across Victoria would pay a reduced ESVF contribution, with the variable rate to be capped at 28.7 cents per $1000 of their property’s capital improved value — the same amount paid under the 2024-25 Fire Services Property Levy.
While this will provide short-term relief to farmers across the region, looming still is the eventual increase in rates, which is likely to take effect during the 2026-27 financial year.
An image from the protests outside Victorian parliament, in Melbourne on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Photo: AAP Image/Callum Godde
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CALLUM GODDE
Scott James, who volunteers at the Whiteheads Creek-Tarcombe CFA station, has his own farm, and is also employed on a farm between Whiteheads Creek and Avenel.
Mr James’ chief concern is how the ESVF will impact the future of fundraising for smaller brigades such as his own — and if funding distributed would be proportionate.
“If a property owner donates, let’s say, $5000 to our brigade, we actually contact them and let them know what we’ve spent that money on,” he said.
“Whereas, if it’s going straight to the emergency services levy: one, are we ever going to see it? And two, some brigades may receive a lot more than others.
“My fear is that if someone has to pay a fire services levy, and they’ve got a fairly big property because a lot of the properties around here are farming properties ... If they do that, then there’s a risk for my brigade that they will possibly stop donating because they have to pay that fund.”
Mr James noted that many brigades that did not have a township surrounding them, such as Whiteheads Creek-Tarcombe, relied heavily on donations to fund the procurement of necessary equipment and the construction of needed upgrades, and a lot of those donations came from nearby farmers.
While a significant concern of ratepayers and volunteers is the question of where the funds raised by the ESVF will go, the government has stated that CFA and VicSES will benefit directly from the new levy.
“These changes will give emergency services the funding and equipment they — and their communities — need as they face natural disasters which are happening more often and becoming more destructive,” a government spokesperson said.
“Every single dollar raised by this new fund will support our emergency services — helping them to keep communities safe year-round.
“Because our emergency services volunteers give our state so much, eligible CFA and VicSES volunteers and life members will be able to access a rebate.”
Single farming enterprises, of a value of up to $5 million, will not pay the ESVF following successful application for eligible CFA and VicSES volunteers and life members, and owners of farms valued at over $5 million will receive a partial rebate.
Mr James said, regardless of the impacts of the ESVF, he would remain a dedicated volunteer, as would many others.
However, he said that dedication should not be taken for granted.
“At the end of the day, for me, regardless of what’s happening within the CFA or within the government, I will still turn out, and so will every other farmer,” he said.
“But CFA is already tight with funds, and by the looks of it, it’s going to get tighter.
“The education of people needs to be not to expect CFA or the government to look after you — you’ve got to look after yourself.”
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