Property owners across the region are being slugged with massive tax bills on their rates notices due to the Allan Labor Government’s unfair fire services levy.
The Fire Services Levy, paid by all Victorian landowners, was hiked significantly by Labor in the 2024-25 State Budget. This will increase the fire tax paid by Victorians by around $186 million in the next year.
With the recent release of rates notices, property owners are only now seeing the impact this increase will have on their bills.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said regional property owners, many of whom are volunteer firefighters, were facing significantly larger bills since the tax went into effect.
“We owe our CFA volunteers more than gratitude; we owe them the resources to do their job safely and effectively,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Instead of hiking taxes, this government should be investing in the men and women who stand between us and disaster.
“I’ve had local ratepayers tell me they’re now paying over 53 per cent more for the Fire Services Levy compared to last year, with some farm owners facing increases of up to 65 per cent,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This comes on top of the already massive rise in land tax that these same residents are struggling to manage.
“Despite this steep tax hike, our CFA brigades will likely see little to no benefit before the fire season—very little of the funds raised are going back into the critical volunteer service that protects our communities.”
“Some of these property owners are volunteer firefighters themselves, and they can’t understand how this tax has skyrocketed while their brigades receive so little support from the government.”
In contrast, large international companies that own renewable energy projects have received a 91.4 per cent decrease in their fire services levy, which Ms Cleeland described as a “free kick” from a broke State Government.
“The Allan Labor Government can’t manage money, and it certainly can’t manage our emergency services. Regional communities are paying the price,” Ms. Cleeland said.
“These massive international companies, which contribute little to the regional communities they disrupt, are receiving unjust benefits from this government—while local property owners shoulder the burden.
“It’s completely unacceptable that these corporations get a free pass, while our local farmers and homeowners are hit with outrageous costs.”
Ms Cleeland is interested in hearing from more property owners that have seen major increases to the amount they pay for the Fire Service Levy so she can raise the issue in Parliament. You can contact her at annabelle.cleeland@parliament.vic.gov.au.
