[Jason Symons]

So, I’ve had a thought (yes, it does happen occasionally).

With the recent season and devastation of fires across the state, and in light of a possible royal commission, I have a feeling FESL will come to light again.

As a result I’ve asked my staff to recommence updating and maintaining individual assessment FESL Classifications and Valuation Numbers/IDs, as we stopped doing this when the Premier announced FESL would be deferred/delayed.

Have others given any thought to doing the same?

Cheers

Jason

[Anne Jones]

Hi Jason,
With the initial introduction of FESL, a new field had been entered into our rate cards for the Emergency Services (we use Practical Plus), and this has been kept up to date as new properties are created and properties are modified.

Annie Jones
ARO – Berrigan Shire Council

[Suzi Flynn]

Hi Jason,

I have always thought FESL would come back but it’s just a matter of when. I doubt they will rush something out without appropriate planning. NSW government can’t afford to get it wrong again.

We aren’t spending time maintaining FESL classifications as they could be defined differently next time around.

I guess it depends on your system as to whether it’s simple enough to maintain strata PIDs but if it comes back we will likely work on another bulk upload.

Suzi

[Andrew Butcher]

Hi Jason
I too had thought the FESL may be back especially with the devastating affect from the current crisis.
In mid-November I contacted one of the Senior staff representing NSW Treasury from the FESL work group and was advised nothing has been raised with them (and he would know). He said he would be touch immediately should this change.
Suzi is correct the government will most likely consider a different model based on FESL v1 being deferred.
Hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Andrew

[Andrea Dolan]

Hi Jason,

There seems every likelihood that FESL will come back in some form or another.
We have been maintaining the classifications but not the Strata PID’s. It’s just become part of our process when creating the new rates accounts.

Andrea

[Darryl Telfer]

Here we go folks.

NSW to ditch current insurance-funded Emergency Services Levy

A hell of a lot of work was done on this last round before it was ditched at the 11th hour. Hopefully it will get over the line in a suitable format this time. There will still be plenty of work for Council’s to implement though (assuming it will move from insurance to rates).

[Andrew Butcher]

Well spotted Darryl, let’s hope we don’t end up with FESL 2.0

Here is what I know so far:
+ Insurance Monitor to ensure insurance companies pass savings onto policy holders
+ Government to consider CIV for all taxes
+ Concessions will be available for pensioners
+ Will only apply to the 73.7% of cost contributions levied on Insurance Premiums – not affect the 11.7% paid by councils
+ Stakeholder and industry consultation to commence early next (calendar) year
+ No decision on who will collect levies

Will keep this updated as more information comes to light.

Regards,
Andrew

[Edwin Athaide]

Emergency Services Levy Amendment Land Classification Bill 2024
The government’s Amendment (Land Classification) Bill 2024passed Parliament last week and will establish a mechanism for the removal of the ESL from both councils and insurance policies. The Bill was passed with one Opposition amendment, which inserts a recommendation that Parliament reimburse councils for the reasonable costs of exercising the land classification functions.
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/bill-details.aspx?pk=18587
Regards
Edwin

[Robert Hay]

Hi Everyone

Whilst the legislation has been passed it has yet to be assented.

Robert

[Robert Hay]

Hi Everyone

The Emergency Services Levy Amendment (Land Classification) Act 2024 has been assented on the 20/06/2024.

Things are heating up.

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/bill-details.aspx?pk=18587

Robert

[Trevor Holland]

Hello All

Guess the next step will be to wait for the official advice including the guidelines to come out.

Can’t do a whole lot until that happens.

Let’s hope that they have learnt from FESL Mark 1.0 and this time around it is less chaotic. Only time will tell.

Regards
Trevor

[David Grima]

BUT how will it work with the change to the valuation cycle? Makes no sense ……….

[Dallas McConnell]

If im reading it right, it only means that we have to classify each parcel of land.
No determination on Council imposing the charge and recouping the money.
I think there is a chance we classify the land and Revenue NSW do the collection?

[Suzi Flynn]

Hi Dallas,
Yes I think that’s how it is shaping up, which is why having councils on the different valuation base dates wouldn’t matter. I assume Revenue NSW will use the annual valuations done across the state.

[Dallas McConnell]

Thanks Suzi,

I agree. Hopefully, if it does go this way, this isnt the first step in Revenue NSW running rates. For those that might recall they tried to do some collections in this space a few years ago.

[Author]

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