Fire services and the non-insured Green Paper
The bushfires in February 2009 reminded all Victorians of the need to ensure our fire fighting services have the best equipment and best training available to respond to the annual threat of bushfires in our community.
Every Victorian understands the need to have well funded fire fighting services, however there has been community debate following the fires on the best way to fund them equitably.
A review of the Fire Services Levy conducted by the Department of Treasury and Finance in 2003 found that, along with significant annual funding from the Victorian budget and Melbourne-based councils, the current model was the best way to fund Victoria’s fire services.
However, it is now appropriate to review the model again given that the Victorian Government has committed to reconsidering all aspects of our state’s ability to prepare for and respond to major bushfires.
The Fire services and the non-insured Green Paper has been designed to help Victorians establish the best way to fund Victoria’s fire services and to determine whether an alternative model would deliver adequate funding in a more equitable way.
Fire Services and the non-insured Green Paper (3,968 kb PDF) /
(268 kb DOC)
Have your say
The Government wants to give all Victorians the opportunity to comment on the ideas put forward in this Green Paper and to convey their views on how Victoria can equitably fund our fire services.
Generally, all submissions would be treated as public documents unless individuals or organisations request otherwise. Please note that freedom of information access requirements will apply to all submissions including those treated as confidential.
Submissions will be called for from June 2010 with a closing date for comment on the Green Paper of 15 July 2010. Submissions can be sent:
By post:
Fire Services Project
Department of Treasury and Finance
1 Treasury Place
East Melbourne
Vic 3002
By email:
fireservicesproject@dtf.vic.gov.au
