Greater Shepparton residents will soon receive their Annual Rates Notices, which this year include a new charge introduced by the State Government, the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).
The ESVF, which came into effect on July 1, 2025, is a State Government-imposed tax that Council is legally required to collect from ratepayers on behalf of the State Government. This new tax replaces the former Fire Services Property Levy and expands funding to a broader range of emergency service agencies, including Triple Zero Victoria, Emergency Management Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, State Control Centre and Emergency Recovery Victoria.
Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Fiona Le Gassick, explained the implications for ratepayers.
“Council is legislated under the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Act 2012 to collect this tax on behalf of the State Government, which must be paid unless you’re eligible for an exemption or concession, such as Emergency Services Volunteers, primary producers, pensioners and veterans,” she said.
