4 Feb 2013

Fire Service challenges ruling on levy scheme

5:01 pm on 4 February 2013

The Fire Service says homeowners may end up paying higher insurance levies if a High Court ruling is allowed to stand.

It has lodged an appeal against a decision released late last year that effectively allows large companies to pay lower fire levies.

One example given in the ruling was eight port companies that have taken an insurance policy collectively, which means they have to pay only one Fire Service levy.

Fire Service national commander Paul Baxter fears if other businesses follow suit, it will miss out on millions of dollars and homeowners may have to make up the shortfall.