Councils in the Eastern Riverina region of NSW have reiterated the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW (LGSA) calls to meet with the new NSW Minister for Emergency Services to discuss a review of the funding model for emergency services. 



In a meeting of councils held in Temora, President of the Shires Association, Cr Bruce Miller, confirmed that the O'Farrell Government have committed to conducting a review of the funding of emergency services.

 

"In their response to the LGSA's NSW Election Priorities 2011, the Coalition agreed to meet with all stakeholders post election to conduct a review of emergency service funding," said Cr Miller.

 

"They stated clearly that they did not wish to see a repeat of Labor's botched pre-Christmas bushfire levy on councils - and neither do we," he said.

 

"We were very pleased to hear both our new Premier O'Farrell and the former Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Melinda Pavey, commit to a review of the funding model for emergency services, and their intention to broadly consult with councils and the LGSA."

 

"We stand ready to fully participate in that review. We will seek an urgent meeting with the new Minister for Emergency Services. We are hopeful that we are on the verge of a much improved, ongoing dialogue between Local and State Government in NSW."

 

"The former NSW Government's recent increases in the RFS component of the Emergency Services Levy (ESL), and their appalling handling of the issue, highlights the need for the current emergency services funding arrangements to be scrapped and replaced with a broad based property levy."

 

"This system is used in other states and would replace the hidden ESL in council rates and insurance policies. This system was recommended by the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission."

 

 

The Mayor of Cootamundra Shire Council, Cr Paul Braybrooks, said the large spike in contributions to the Emergency Services Levy in late 2010 has caused a great deal of unnecessary anxiety for councils and their communities.

 

"This was a huge concern not just because of the increased levies that were forced upon councils, but also in the way they were imposed and the lack of consultation," said Cr Braybrooks.

 

"Much more needs to be done in finding long-term solutions for the funding of emergency services. Over the past 10 years, the total emergency services budget has increased by an average of 8% annually compared to an average 3.3% limit on increases in council rates," he said.

 


Other issues discussed were the need for more police officers in rural areas, solar power rebates, regional water quality and security, and the standard of local roads and rail infrastructure.