Vic councils to cut SES funding

Victoria's State Emergency Service will have its funding slashed after nine local councils said they would no longer match state government grants.

Nine of the state's 79 councils will stop providing financial support from July to the SES, which helps fund the 4500 volunteers who respond to floods, storms and emergencies.

They are tightening their belts after the state government announced earlier this month that almost $30 million would be cut from local councils and there would be a statewide cap of 2.5 per cent on rate increases.

Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett said the government would continue to support the SES's "vital service".

COUNCILS CUTTING SES FUNDING

* Darebin, Glen Eira, Central Goldfields, Buloke, Campaspe, Baw Baw, Gannawarra, Corangamite, and Mitchell.