Regional Victorians say they're fed up with paying increasing fire service levies but seeing little in return. The Victorian Government's is set to overhaul how it funds the state's volunteer emergency services, which will come at an even bigger cost to ratepayers. Emergency volunteers struggling with ageing equipment now want to see more of that money invested into their services.
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00:00This tired tanker is rolling into its 30th fire season.
00:08It's a hearty machine, but it's no longer fit for purpose.
00:12We don't have class A foam on our truck, it should be in there.
00:16The tankers used by Upper Murray CFA volunteers feature dated single latch seatbelts, seating
00:23that exposes volunteers directly to the elements and there's no air conditioning.
00:28Firefighters are under stress before they even get to the fire.
00:34Some CFA sheds don't even have toilets.
00:37When we're trying to recruit new volunteers, when we don't have facilities that
00:43are comfortable, that makes it difficult.
00:46Volunteers say they're forking out more than ever to support local fire services.
00:51We think it's unfair that the rural communities aren't seeing that
00:55money come back to their community.
00:58From mid next year, the state's fire services levy will be replaced
01:02by the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
01:06It will be collected the same way, but ratepayers' contributions will almost double.
01:15Active CFA volunteers and life members are set to receive an exemption on their primary
01:20place of residence, but many living on farms with several titles are worried about how it will work.
01:27I think it's going to be a very, very difficult
01:30task to administer that fairly and correctly.
01:34The government says the new fund will rake in an extra $2.1 billion.
01:40It says money raised will be directed to brigades depending on their requirements,
01:44while extra money's been earmarked to upgrade fleets.
01:48Volunteers say they'll be watching and waiting.
01:51Especially when people are finding the cost of living affecting their bank balance,
01:56well I think they start questioning where those dollars are going.
01:59The pressure is heating up.