Council updates rates notices; continues to advocate for fairer levy
Published on 31 July 2025
Northern Grampians Shire Council will continue to advocate for a fairer way to fund emergency services amid ongoing concerns about the impact the State Government’s controversial new tax will have on the region’s residents.
The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, ESVF, levy came into effect on July 1, 2025, with local government mandated to collect the tax on behalf of the State Government despite many councils opposing it.
Northern Grampians Shire rates notices – to be delivered from mid-August – will feature a new structure this financial year to help ratepayers differentiate between council fees, including general rates and rubbish, and State Government tax.
Cr Hyslop said despite the widespread protesting of the ESVF, which replaces the Fire Services Property Levy, FSPL, ratepayers were mandated to pay it.
“It is important to understand that we don’t have any control over how the money our residents pay towards their rate notices is distributed,” she said.
“Legally, council is obligated to pay a portion of your rates money to the State Government. So, while the ESVF tax amount is clearly differentiated from council’s general rates and kerbside collection charges on your rates notice, it isn’t possible to charge the ESVF separately.
“Ratepayers would also risk falling into arrears, which council is then legally obligated to retrieve, and it will cost them more in the long run.”
Cr Hyslop said under the direction of the State Government, the levy would be applied to all council rates notices, however, rebates were available for volunteers of the Country Fire Authority and Victorian State Emergency Service.
“We have also had some success with the lobbying we have done for the farming community, which was to be hardest hit by the new levy,” she said.
“The government has agreed to cap the levy at the 2024/25 rate for primary production properties this financial year. It’s a small win, but the concern is what happens after that.”
Cr Hyslop said councillors had advocated against the introduction of the ESVF for months and would continue to push for a fairer way to fund emergency services.
“Our council has joined many others in protesting the ESVF due to our concerns about residents’ capacity to pay, council’s ability to collect it and the region’s already-stressed economy,” she said.
Several councillors attended various rallies and protests in the lead-up to the official implementation of the levy on July 1. At the June council meeting, councillors resolved to write to the Premier, outlining their concerns and asking her to 'scrap' the unjust new ESVF. They also called on the Premier to have the ESVF collected by the State Revenue Office and not be the responsibility of local government.
At the weekend, Cr Jack Blake attended a meeting with representatives of 21 other councils from across the state, organised by United Firefighters Union Victoria, in a bid to coordinate further opposition and joint advocacy efforts.
“We will continue to advocate for a fairer way to fund emergency services, however, councils are currently mandated to collect the ESVF,” Cr Hyslop said.
“All money collected through ESVF charges will go directly to the State Revenue Office – no ESVF money will be retained by council.”
Cr Hyslop said council’s 2025/26 Budget included a rate rise of three per cent, in line with the State Government’s rate cap for this financial year.
She said people could click here for more information about how rates were calculated.
Waste collection charges are also increasing, which will be clearly identified on rates notices.
Collection costs for 2025/26 (compared with 2024/25) are as follows:
Compulsory bins (one waste and one recycling): $480 per annum (previously $467).
Additional waste: $164 per annum per bin (previously $159).
Additional recycling: $195 per annum per bin (previously $190).
FOGO (Food Organics/Garden Organics), St Arnaud residents only: $52 per bin. Previously at no cost due to trial period, which has now ended. Council is keeping the fee below the full cost of delivering the service to support St Arnaud households during the transition period.
Cr Hyslop said she understood many residents were feeling financial pressures and reminded people that council offered hardship support.
“We encourage anyone needing assistance to reach out and have a conversation with our team,” she said.
“We have payment options available that can be customised depending on your individual circumstances and can also help with referrals to financial counselling services in the event you need additional support.”
People can click here for more information.