A DRAMATIC hike in Emergency Services Levy bills has stunned SA farmers and volunteers with some landholders reporting increases of between 300 per cent and 1200pc.
Maitland farmer and Country Fire Service volunteer Paul Jarrett has described the escalated fees as a "kick in the guts".
"Most of us (farmers) have our own firefighting gear and contribute voluntarily," he said.
"We seem to be the ones hit hardest."
In June, state government announced that it would cut its contribution - allowing the money to go to other government services - because of federal budget cuts
The contribution had been used to allow discounts on the levy that many households were expected to pay in the form of general remissions.
At the time of this announcement, state government estimated that households could see a difference of 100pc in their annual bill.
Mr Jarrett said people he had spoken to had been hit by increases of 300pc to 1200pc.
"We're getting kicked pretty hard," he said.
"If there is a fire in the district we are still going to go to it, but it's a kick in the guts.
"They're expecting us to carry the burden."
Mr Jarrett wrote a letter to the Stock Journal (p12) urging others to check their bills, saying small businesses will be unable to absorb the costs.
Col Bridgman, Maitland, said this year's bill came as a shock.
"If you were renting or leasing a property and somebody put up the rent 1200pc you would walk away, not just because of the dollar value, but because it is offensive that someone would expect you to just accept that," he said.
Mr Bridgman said the increase, because remissions were removed, encouraged him to take a fresh look at how the charge was calculated. Land values had played a major part.
"In my opinion it is a land tax in the guise of an ESL," he said.
As a volunteer firefighter, Mr Bridgman felt the farming community contributed to emergency services considerably already, providing manpower and plant to fight fires.
"I personally have told my CFS captain that until this issue is resolved I am not available for any strike teams this year," he said.
"I don't think I'm the only volunteer who feels like this.
"We're being charged for the privilege of providing a volunteer service for the community."
CFS volunteer firefighter and farmer Andrew Cadd, Moonta, said he wanted to raise the issue because he had heard of instances of hostility directed at volunteer firefighters and CFS staffers from some members of the public.
"There is a notion among some that we are paid for our time," he said.
"But farm firefighting units are hit the most by paying the levy and giving their time, fuel, expertise and equipment (free).
"Please direct any comment to the government."
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 25, 2014 issue.