21st May 2025

Page 1

Weather

WEDNESDAY min 4° max 16°

THURSDAY min 5° max 17°

FRIDAY min 6° max 18°

St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts

Est. 1864

18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly.

WEDNESDAY MAY 21st 2025.

Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. VAC 4217.

$2.00

Circulating in:- St. Arnaud, Charlton, Donald, Rupanyup, Bealiba, Stawell, Marnoo, Navarre, Dunolly, Wycheproof, Wedderburn, Birchip, Korong Vale, Stuart Mill, Redbank, Avoca & Moonambel.

(Incl. GST)

Anger rages as a community simply says ‘thank you’ AN annual event, the Rotary Club of St. Arnaud Thank You BBQ for Fireys is to simply express their appreciation for the work the CFA does in protecting community, both the people and their assets, threatened by fire over the summer period. This particular BBQ was in the midst of something extraordinary for this region of Victoria. The setting is the Fireys rage as the debate in the Upper House of the Victorian Parliament results in the Emergency Services Levy being passed albeit with some minor amendments. Before the debate there was considerable phoning to crossbenchers and the Greens to put forward their case in opposition to the bill. But it was all in vain as some amendments were achieved but the bill still progressed to law in Victoria. As a result firefighters have walked off the job in droves with in District 16 (HQ in Ararat) only St. Arnaud and Stuart Mill brigades have not stood down. Many firefighters believe that the levy will unfairly target rural farmers who even with the amendments will be slogged a rise of 150% on the Fire Services Levy of last year that will be replaced. One of the amendments achieved last week was that CFA volunteers and farmers in 24 shires eligible for state drought support would be "exempt".

Above: The Slaty Creek fire truck attended the Thank You BBQ to Fireys last Saturday and of the CFA members in attendance (left to right) Hayden Perry, Daryl Wright, Neil Coates and Wayne Rourke for an appreciative crowd.

An exemption or a deferral However, Premier Jacinta Allan has clarified that the rebate is not an exemption and that CFA volunteer firefighters and farmers struggling through drought can apply for a rebate after first paying the levy in full. The rebate would also only apply to a single property.

Councils to collect the Levy Councils across the state do not want to be tasked with collecting the Victorian government's emergency service levy. Some councils fear residents will refuse to pay the levy and create a revenue shortfall which they believe Councils will be forced by the State Government to pay. Local Area Councils are in a precarious position stuck between a determined Government and the rage of their communities.

Acting Chief Officer has his say The Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook said that they are continuing to

Above: The BBQ was held as a Rotary Club of St. Arnaud Thank You to our Fireys (left to right) Dick Bray, Kim Lambert, Russell Steel, Luke Hanley and Peter Marland. monitor the situation but want to reassure the community that they have operating procedures in place to ensure that when brigades are offline neighbouring brigades will be available to protect communities or alternative arrangements will be made. “The safety of life and property is always our number one priority. “We expect that our brigades will turn out to protect their communities as they always have done in their time of need.

Above: Fireys in Traynors Lagoon showed their displeasure with this line of abandoned uniforms. The flag was also flown at half mast.

“CFA acknowledges that our volunteers and brigades, many of whom are from rural communities, have had a long summer of fire activity and are facing a lot of pressure as a result of drought which is impacting their livelihoods. “We respect their rights to engage in matters relevant to their local communities, including those who are concerned about the potential impact of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.” Another protest on the steps of Parliament had been organised for yesterday (Tuesday). Garry Cook went on to say that the CFA as an organisation supports their volunteers and advocates for them. “We ask that any brigades and volunteers who choose to take part in the [Tuesday’s] protest do so in a safe and respectful manner. “We are working with our districts and Group officers at a local level to respond to any movement of vehicles or personnel. Operational arrangements have been communicated to ensure there are contingency plans in place.

St. Arnaud Group Officer Wayne Rourke has reiterated these words of reassurance. “We will still provide the services we always have”. The community members that attended Saturday’s Thank You BBQ were all supportive of the action of the Fireys and believed that the Victorian Government had gone a step too far.

Above: Across Victoria CFA uniforms adorn road signs sending a clear message to the Premier and the Victorian Government. This one was in Navarre.

Inside today - VicGrid releases new Energy plan... Page 8.


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21st May 2025 by North_Central_News - Issuu