At its meeting on April 23, council resolved to fight for substantial changes to the proposed Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) to protect the community from what it sees as an unfair levy model.
The ESVF is set to replace the existing Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) from July 1.
Modelling predicts the total levy collected from Benalla Rural City ratepayers will increase by 81 per cent, rising from $2.37 million to $4.29 million.
Local farmers are expected to be the most disadvantaged by this change, with an average 137 per cent increase in their levy contributions.
Residential landowners will face a 58 per cent average rise, while commercial properties are projected to see a 69 per cent increase.
Council has expressed deep concern over the disproportionate impact on rural ratepayers, particularly primary producers, who already face unique financial pressures.
Without adjustments, the levy would further strain these communities.
To address these concerns, Council has endorsed amendments proposed by Rural Councils Victoria (RCV), including recalculating the levy formula to ensure fairness, guaranteeing that funds raised in rural areas are reinvested locally, and advocating for the State Revenue Office to handle levy collection rather than councils.
To ensure rural voices are heard when the legislation is next considered, an advocacy strategy will be developed to engage key decision makers, including the Victorian treasurer and Legislative Council crossbench MPs.
Benalla Mayor Bernie Hearn said that by pushing for a fairer and more balanced funding model, council aimed to reduce the financial burden on its community while supporting valuable emergency services.
"Benalla Rural City Council supports Rural Councils Victoria's call for the tax to be made fairer for everyone and council remains committed to protecting its ratepayers and advocating against policies that negatively impact our residents,” Cr Hearn said.
“We want to see the proposed levy recalculated to make it fairer and to reduce the financial burden it will bring, especially to our farmers.
“At the very least, this new tax burden should be shared equally amongst all Victorian landholders.
“Only a small percentage of this levy will actually be passed onto volunteers, and there is no guarantee any of the revenue raised in Benalla Rural City will be used to support our CFA or SES volunteers.”
Cr Hearn said there was still time for the Victorian Government to acknowledge the inequities and unforeseen consequences of the new levy and to make the necessary legislative changes.
