THE message from farmers and CFA volunteers was made clear on Tuesday, 20 May as over 5000 protestors used emergency vehicles to block the Spring and Bourke Streets intersection outside Parliament House to protest the state government’s new emergency services levy.

A cavalcade of over 100 CFA fire trucks and other emergency vehicles from all over the state had slowed major arterial freeways and roads into Melbourne that morning to bring the new levy to the attention of Melbourne residents and the government.

Mansfield Shire Mayor Steve Rabie attended the rally with Deputy Mayor James Tehan and did not mince words in taking aim at the government’s lack of communication with councils before the levy’s announcement.

“At no time was there any prior consultation,” Cr Rabie said.

“There was zero consultation - I think that is disgraceful in the least.”

Cr Rabie said the shire had been ‘very loud’ with its message.

“We oppose this massive increase at this time, when there’s a drought on, when there’s a cost-of-living crisis and when there is mental stress," he said.

“Everybody will be affected by this tax.

“You can’t increase a levy by 189 per cent and not expect people to jump up and down.”

Cr Rabie also said almost all councils meeting through Rural Councils Victoria and the Municipal Association of Victoria were opposed to the government’s expectation for councils to collect the levy.

“The State Revenue Office should be collecting this state government tax and not the local governments,” he said.

“We absolutely oppose the collection of this because it’s not only going to be a cost shift for the shire but also a reputational shift onto us as well.

“Local government is the only level of government with a front desk, and our staff in the rates office and those on the front desk, they will get hammered.

“I have a responsibility for (staff) welfare, and I am worried that they will most probably receive angry calls and have angry people coming in.”

State Liberal and Nationals leaders Brad Battin and Danny O’Brien told the rally that a coalition government would repeal the levy legislation if elected in 18 months-time.

“We will ensure that we will cancel this tax,” Mr Battin said.

“We will guarantee you that we will scrap it once and for all and hand that money back to Victorians.”

CFA group officer Pat Millear from Westmere addressed the crowd and listed off all fires attended to by volunteers since Black Saturday 2009 when all of Victoria’s units were in service.

He commended those present for their duty.

“You never complain and never get paid; you are on call 24 hours a day and seven days a week,” Mr Millear said.

“You never seek accolades you just go about doing your job of saving lives and property, and at the very least what you want and what you need is support from your government.

“You don’t want to be used as a shield to raise money to retire debt.”

He said it was not the responsibility of those present to be off duty with their service vehicles to attend the protest.

“It’s the state government’s choice to leave the state unprotected, it’s not ours,” Mr Millear said.

“We are all out, just like you will be next election.”

Adding to the chorus of regional frustration was Mansfield CFA volunteer Jack Metcalfe, who shared his deeply personal perspective.

"I have been a CFA volunteer since I was 17," Mr Metcalfe said.

"My family have been proud to provide this service for decades, my grandfather and uncle have been CFA captains of Pomonal Fire Brigade in Victoria’s western district.

"I have witnessed many sacrifices and much bravery, we almost lost my grandfather in the 2006 Mt Lubra bushfires whilst defending farming property.

"I myself spent Christmas away from my own young family and farm to fight fires in the Grampians this year.

"This tax has left me angry, saddened and feeling unsupported.

"I feel the rural people are getting enormously taken advantage of.

"Being part of the CFA and helping the community in times of need is an honour and a sense of duty.

"It shouldn’t be taken for granted like the politicians are doing now.

"Farmers, and rural communities, already face many challenges each year.

"This year in particular, we are already going through a drought that is set to cost us thousands of dollars.

"You are stinging the people who need your help at this time, and are the very same people who volunteer their time and safety year after year unpaid.

"I am a father of two young kids, trying to balance working our farm and my full-time carpentry business.

"My wife is a vet.

"We pay our fair share of taxes, alongside contributing to our community.

"This tax is deceitful and going to significantly affect many rural families and communities."

Mansfield Deputy Mayor and CFA volunteer James Tehan said local opposition to the levy was unlike anything he had seen before in the bush and that the levy had come at a bad time for farmers.

“I have been farming for 40 years and I have never seen such feeling like this,” Cr Tehan said.

“And I have never seen a drought like this too, so for the government to bring in something like this at this time, to affect farmers (by costing) three or even four-fold including the last three years is an absolute disgrace.”

Cr Tehan said one farm he knew of would be paying $45,000 for the levy on top of $59,000 in increased rates.

“That’s a family they can employ which they won’t and so that farmer takes on the onus of the work he should not be doing and is wearing himself out, putting himself in danger.

“This government has no sympathy to anyone in that respect.

“They just care about their votes in the city.”

Cr Tehan said the state treasurer had betrayed her grass roots.

“Jaclyn, you’ve turned your back on the country, and you should feel ashamed of yourself.”