Under the changes, councils will pay an 11.7 per cent share of the levy to help fund reforms to workers' compensation for volunteer and career firefighters suffering from work-related cancers.

John Medcalf, Chair of Central NSW Councils - of which Orange City Council is a member - warned councils will be forced to cut services to fund the local government sector's share of the increased levy.

Cr Medcalf, the mayor of Lachlan Shire, said while the Central West's mayors "appreciate the increase is for workers' compensation relating to cancers", they were far from impressed with the heavy-handed manner in which the cost-shifting changes were determined.

"We need work with the government on a fairer way to divide up what is, in reality, a runaway, unknown expense every year," he said.

"We have asked time and time again for some common sense. In reality this is just cost shifting gone rampant. Every year we are ignored and it is so disappointing that for all the rhetoric around working with regional communities, the reality is more of the same limp service.

"We would like the state government to accept responsibility for this increase and then talk to us about a more transparent and accountable way to administer the emergency services levy."

Cr Medcalf said the increased financial obligation meant the region's councils were "hurting" and would be forced to revisit budgets that were, in some cases, already stretched.

"Councils in Central NSW are reporting increases in the levy of up to 25 per cent and costs rising over $100,000 for some members," he said.

"Councils are rate capped and have prepared budgets for the year. These will now have to be reworked and funding go to other programs likes roads or services."

The Central West's local government leaders would not take the NSW government's mandate lying down, and planned on addressing the issue at the next opportunity.

Cr Medcalf said the subject would certainly be raised when the mayors of the region meet with ministers in Sydney on Thursday, May 30.

Members of CNSWC will also be meeting with the president of Local Government NSW, who had previously advised the group would take up the issue with the NSW government.