The Towong Shire Council intends to keep up its opposition to the state’s Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Levy despite the Victorian government’s announcement last Friday of a 12-month pause on the tax for farmers.

At its meeting on May 28th, councillors unanimously opposed the levy, which was due to take effect from 1 July, 2025.

Two days later the government paused the levy for farmers in recognition of the impact of the current drought, along with an expanded drought assistance package.

Towong mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead, said “This levy places an unfair burden on rural communities like ours where agriculture supports every aspect of the local economy.

“With the cost of living pressures and drought conditions rural communities are experiencing, the levy would be just another nail in the coffin for rural Victoria.

Cr Whitehead said council was calling on the premier Jacinta Allan to stay true to her 1999 inaugural speech to Parliament where she said ‘The government’s distinctive role will be to recognise and appreciate the people of country Victoria, to place their needs back on the political agenda and to bring them back into the decision-making process’.

“Council will continue to lobby the government to abolish the levy after the 12-month pause has expired.

“We will be talking to other councils about presenting a united front to ensure this happens.

“Premier Allan, we implore you to listen to rural Victorians, stop the implementation of the levy and meet with us to discuss the way forward.”

Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) president, Brett Hosking, said it represents a step in the right direction as the state endures crippling drought conditions.

“Farmers are doing it tough and some are facing the worst drought conditions in living memory,” he said.

“This announcement offers a glimmer of hope and is recognition that the pressure we’ve applied is being heard. It’s a step in the right direction, but plenty more remains to be done.

“You can’t begin to understand the impact of this drought until you actually visit these areas in person. I thank Premier Jacinta Allan, Treasurer Jaclyn Symes and Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence for coming out to see what we’re facing and this extra support,”

Mr Hosking said. Mr Hosking added that the 12 month pause to the controversial fire levy is welcome and allows more time to talk with the government.

“Pausing the levy increases for 12 months is the right call but it doesn’t change the underlying problem – this levy is an unfair cost shift onto farmers.”

Residents urged to sign petition

“We’ll use this extra time to continue making the case that it needs to be scrapped altogether, not simply paused,” Mr Hosking said.

In the meantime, Towong Council is supporting a petition opposing the levy and encourages all ratepayers and residents to sign it.

“We need to protect farmers and rural families from this unfair new tax,” Cr Whitehead stressed.

An online petition is at www.change.org/p/ protect-farmers-and-ruralfamilies- from-unfair-newtax and hard copies are available to sign at council offices.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 5 June 2025.