Hundreds of CFA volunteers have made the difficult decision to stand down in protest against the Victorian Government’s new Emergency Services Levy, passed during a late-night parliamentary session last Thursday. The decision has left farmers and CFA volunteers feeling gutted, adding to the ongoing drought conditions.

The Kaniva Group—made up of eight CFA brigades and ten appliances—went offline, stating on social media, “This comes in the middle of a drought, when farmers are already doing it tough – and just as we enter National Volunteer Week!.”

Acting CFA Chief Officer Garry Cook acknowledged that a number of brigades had reported unavailability but reassured the community that contingency plans are in place to respond to emergencies through neighbouring brigades. “The safety of life and property is always our number one priority,” he said, while also recognising the significant pressures facing rural volunteers.

Locally, the Kaniva SES will continue to support the CFA and attend all life-threatening incidents. Other Hindmarsh Shire brigades, including Antwerp, Netherby, Diapur and Gerang, have also stood down.

Dimboola resident Pru Cook highlighted the devastating financial impact of the new levy. “From 1 July 2025, farmers will face a 189 per cent increase in their emergency services levy. These aren’t hypothetical numbers—some farmers will see bills rise from $14,000 to nearly $40,000, or from $27,000 to over $77,000, depending on land values. And all this during one of the driest starts to a year we’ve seen.”

She added that the levy won’t directly improve local CFA brigades, with funds pooled across all emergency services and no guarantee of increased rural resourcing. Rebates for active volunteers are capped and often don’t apply to farming properties held under separate titles.

“This is not just a rural issue—city residents will also see their levies almost double. While I understand standing down leaves communities exposed, I also understand why they’re doing it,” she said.

The Victorian Farmers Federation has expressed deep disappointment over the levy’s introduction, citing its damaging impact on already struggling farmers.

How you can help:

Sign the petition to support our CFA: Emergency Services Levy Petition

At the time of going to print, a rally against the levy was planned in Melbourne, with several buses from the Wimmera, including Kaniva, attending.

This article appeared in Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 21 May 2025.