VICTORIA’S peak organisation for volunteer firefighters say they will be forced to rattle more tins and keep driving an ageing fleet of trucks.
“Just 22 per cent of $1.8 billion (new levy revenue is year two) is going to volunteer agencies. You would hardly think so by reading all the governments justifications for the new hike,” said Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria chief executive officer Adam Barnett.
Mr Barnett told members last week that the government media release heralded the levy as a way to make sure “our hardworking emergency services have what they need to keep Victorian’s safe – with a massive funding boost for new trucks, equipment and technology.” 
“Fantastic we thought. Later that day, the Budget update papers laid out the clever deception.
“The budget update shows us that the new levy is expected to raise an additional $610.9 million ... we can calculate the new levy is expected to raise $1.65 Billion in the first year. In the second year (2026-2027), the Budget tells us the old levy would raise $1,035 million and the budget update tells us they estimate the new levy will raise an additional $765 million. That tells us revenue for the second year grows to $1.8 billion.
“(But) just 22 per cent of $1.8 billion is going to volunteer agencies. You would hardly think so by reading all the Governments justifications for the new hike.”
Mr Barnett claims the levy meant just $10 million for the CFA’s annual fleet program to replace new trucks. 
“This will buy just 20 tankers. Given the CFA need $55 million per year to replace 100 trucks to just stop the age of the fleet going backwards – this is far less than what CFA needs just to maintain current ages,” he said.
“If we can’t get rid of aging fire trucks with their definition of “a massive funding boost” I’m not sure how else to describe the job at hand just to bring CFA’s truck fleet up to scratch. So, moving money from consolidated revenue onto land holders to fund government agencies is more important than actually investing in a genuine plan to replace aging fire trucks over 20 years old? 
“Apparently, we must be waiting for an ultra-ponderous-massive funding boost.”
Mr Barnett said another $15 million raised under the levy would require volunteers to match $1 of their money for every $2 of government funding. 
“So, while the government takes a bow for the extra $15 million they are providing, the silence is deafening on the $7.5 million that most volunteers will need to provide to get their grant in the first place doing - you guessed it – fundraising. Sausage sizzles and tin rattles. 
“How much more difficult will fundraising be with a new tax called a “Volunteer Fund” being mailed to all property holders. (The levy) also covers four other organisations, so CFA’s cut is closer to $10 million,”  Mr Barnett said. 
He said a promised volunteer rebate under the levy was a $6 million ‘gift’ that accounted for less than half a cent for every dollar raised.
Mr Barnett told members: “As predicted, volunteer feedback to the exemption has been broad and diverse. From those that don’t want it at all, to those who object to the cap and point out they will still be paying more even with the capped exemption in place. 
“Then there is the mine field of how we determine who is eligible, is it equitable and how it will be managed at brigade level to avoid disputes.
“Which puts VFBV in a very difficult position. How can we possibly support an initiative, that while it sounds like it might be a good thing, has not been consulted on with us or CFA volunteers, and when we do not know any of the detail, and have no idea how it will all work. 
“We simply cannot support something we have no detail on,” he said in a newletter to association members.