From 1 July 2013 the Victorian Government requires local councils to collect a Fire Services Property Levy on their behalf, as part of rates notices.
Your rates notice will now include a clear list of your rates and the Victorian government Fire Services Property Levy. Although this levy will appear on rates notices, it is not a Council charge for Council services. The Fire Services Property Levy is used to fund the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade.
The levy is not new, but was previously included in insurance premiums and therefore was only paid by those who had insurance cover.
The amount of the levy per ratepayer is calculated as follows:
- a fixed component of $111 for residential properties and $226 for non-residential properties; plus
- a variable component calculated as follows:
Property Sector
|
CFA
|
Residential
|
6.60 cents
|
Commercial
|
79.50 cents |
Industrial
|
95.30 cents |
Primary Production
|
19.00 cents |
Public Benefit
|
6.60 cents
|
Vacant (excluding vacant residential land)
|
24.90 cents
|
Eligible pensioners and veterans may be eligible for a concession of $50 off their principal place of residence.