19/9/03
Emergency Services Minister Michelle Roberts said local governments throughout the State would pocket more than $20million in savings as a result of the new Emergency Services Levy (ESL).
Mrs Roberts said the multi-million dollar windfall for local governments had arisen because councils did not have to make the same level of contribution for emergency services under the new levy.
"The levy is a fairer and more equitable system. It ensures our emergency services can get on with the job of making our communities safer, rather than the old way when they had to raise their own funds for equipment and clothing," she said.
Prior to the introduction of the new levy, local governments in areas serviced by the Career Fire and Rescue Service (paid firefighters) collectively contributed 12.5 per cent of the annual cost of this service.
In 2003-04 this would have been approximately $10million. Mrs Roberts said this was a cost that generally would have been passed on to property owners through council rates.
Similarly, local governments with Bush Fire Brigades and State Emergency Service Units had also made considerable savings. Through the levy a total of $15million would be provided to councils for these services.
"Under the levy local government no longer has to pay the lion's share of the costs," she said.
"Instead councils are treated the same as any other property owner and contribute by paying a levy charge on their own property. This is significantly less than what they contributed under the old system."
Mrs Roberts said the levy was a replacement funding system and she expected local governments to pass on the savings to ratepayers.
"If councils didn't pass on these benefits through reduced rates, then they should be open and accountable as to what they have done with those additional funds," she said.
"Unfortunately, it appears only a handful of Local Governments have informed their ratepayers about the savings."
Minister's office: 9213 6600
