Fire Service Levy

The Mayor of Gunnedah Shire Council, Adam Marshall, has welcomed the Coalition's plan to review funding arrangements for Emergency Services.

Mayor Marshall says a broad-based property levy would provide greater equity to local residents and has proven successful in other states.

He says the Local Government and Shires Association will be scheduling meetings with the new Minister to discuss a new funding model.

"There are concerns about the overall management of the Rural Fire Service and the fact that it seems to be more top heavy, with less resources alloctaed to volunteers on the ground to help them do their work," he said.

"We look forward to working with the new government and the new Minister to see that review undertaken."

Mayor Marshall says the Association believes the current funding model could be better.

"People that have insurance polices are paying roughly 75 per cent of the cost of emergency services, and then local councils and state government are splitting the other quarter of the cost," he said.

"It really is an unfair system and places unfair costs on some members of the community, and no burden on others, where a broad-based property levy would improve the structure."

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Comment:  WE NEED A FAIR SYSTEM