Fire Services Tax pain emerges as rates notices make rounds

The arrival of local government rates notices across Victoria has farmers on edge as the  Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Tax (ESVF) begins hitting the pockets of Victorian homeowners.

VFF President Brett Hosking said the mounting outrage is adding more weight to calls to scrap massive increases in the tax.

“People are opening their rates notices to reveal this new cash grab by the State Government,” he said.

“If you’re a homeowner, take a moment to consider that a farmer would be forced to pay 166 per cent of what you’re paying for a property of the same value.”

The VFF has warned that the tax could exacerbate existing financial pressures on farming families, who already shoulder the cost of maintaining firebreaks, equipment, and volunteer firefighting commitments. 

“It’s not just a tax, it’s a fundamental misunderstanding of who is already paying and protecting the community,” Mr Hosking said.

“There is absolutely no support for this tax…not from the fire services, not from local councils and overwhelmingly not from farmers and regional communities.”