Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss has called on State treasurer Jaclyn Symes to repeal the controversial Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.
Councillors unanimously rejected the levy last month after hundreds of community members, including farmers and CFA volunteers, stood united with council in opposing the ESVF levy.
In a wave of protests, rural communities across the state lashed out against the levy hike, which proposed to slug farmers at a rate of 180 per cent more than last year's levy.
Two days later, the State Government announced it was pausing the proposed rate increase for all primary production properties to ensure "all farmers can focus fully on their drought response and recovery."
The ESVF variable rate on primary production properties will remain at 28.7 cents/$1000 CIV – the same as it was in 2024-25 – for the duration of the 2025-26 financial year; instead of the proposed 71.8 cents/$1000 CIV.
The reduced rate will be applied to rates notices for primary production properties automatically.
But, continuing to implement the actions adopted by council in response to Cr Ben Lucas' motion, council has formally written to Ms Symes calling on her to repeal legislation enforcing the levy and to re-examine the ESVF's structure, implementation and impact.
"It is positive to see the Victorian Government shifting on the issue but far more needs to be done.
"While council is pleased to see that the Victorian Government has finally started to listen to rural Victorians, they have not done enough.
"We will continue to stand by our community, our farmers, our volunteers and advocate for the levy to be fully repealed.
"Baw Baw Shire Councillors are united in their view that the levy is unfair and poorly targeted, and fundamentally unjust," Cr Goss said.
Council also has called on the State Government to work collaboratively and transparently with regional communities to develop funding mechanisms that support, rather than burden emergency service volunteers and regional Victorians.
The new ESVF, carried in parliament on May 16, replaces the current Fire Services Property Levy and will be collected via council rates notices.
The new levy will impose increased costs to all ratepayers, particularly primary producers and commercial property owners, many who are also emergency service volunteers.
Protests and community campaigns around the state have objected to the levy.
As the legislation compels councils to collect the levy on behalf of the state, many local governments around Victoria have banded together to formally oppose the ESVF.
Councils have submitted motions condemning the levy to the Municipal Association of Victoria's (MAV) State Council. A consolidated motion was carried, expressing the local government sector's disappointment and requesting the State Government reconsider the ESVF collection model.
Cardinia Shire has indicated it will not join other councils in their protests and will not call on the State Government to remove the levy.