A Stronger Future for Disaster Funding: Why councils need a seat at the table

Cr Barry Hughes - NWQROC Chair

With the recent flooding in the north and south east of the state, our attention once again turns to disaster recovery and resilience. Living with the constant reality of extreme weather events, we’re no strangers to this topic across northern Queensland.

As you’ll no doubt be seeing updates on the latest rounds of funding and disaster relief, it’s timely to highlight to our community the impending changes and risks to these arrangements that could be around the corner.

Together with our Western Queensland counterparts, we’ve been actively engaged in the ‘Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding’ (the Review).

We made two submissions to the Review, participated in a stakeholder forum, and provided a further submission following the handing down of the Review’s report when a brief consultation period opened and closed just before Christmas 2024.

“With a federal election approaching, now is the time for both the Government and Opposition to show leadership by committing to practical disaster funding reforms that work for local communities. ”

The report outlines alarming potential changes, and with a distinct lack of effective engagement following the release of the report, we have justified cause for concern.

While there are elements to be welcomed in this report, including a shift towards disaster risk reduction and resilience to reduce the impact of disasters; ensuring equitable and adequate investment across Australia for local government and communities; and developing a National Disaster Outcomes Policy; the success of any new mechanisms and arrangements will ultimately depend on how well it incorporates local experience and understanding especially from those of us who are the recipients and stand to be most impacted.

Disasters are not theoretical for us. They are an unavoidable part of life, and our councils are on the front lines when disaster strikes.

For us, disaster funding can have a far-reaching impact, not just in our preparations and immediate recovery responses. It provides vital funds to build back better as we build and maintain vital roads and infrastructure that keep Australia’s communities connected, and industries and economy pumping.

While the Review’s acknowledgment of the need for investment in resilience and infrastructure is welcome, alarm bells ring when we see recommendations that lack clear definition - including those around changes to funding category requirements that will ultimately impact betterment programs, and the potential for a risk profile to be used across disaster funding identification and arrangements.

Mechanisms for delivering funding must be grounded in the realities we face - not just theoretical models.

We continue to emphasise that a local and regional perspective needs to be formally included in funding identification processes, as well as the development of any risk profile.

We don’t need changes to make life more difficult or complex, or to have unilateral shifts in responsibility that will diminish capacity and investment in local disaster mitigation and recovery efforts.

With a federal election approaching, now is the time for both the Government and Opposition to show leadership by committing to practical disaster funding reforms that work for local communities.

When the review’s findings were published, Minister for Emergency Management Senator Jenny McCallister highlighted the critical role of local government and that the Albanese Government would “…undertake widespread consultation to inform its final response to the recommendations… Addressing these reforms and the challenges and opportunities they present will require us all working together.”

NWQROC stands ready to work with all levels of government to ensure that our communities get the support they need. The topic will certainly be on our deputation agenda when NWQROC’s delegation heads to State Parliament on 2-3 April.

We welcome the review’s positive steps, but we will continue to push for funding arrangements that are practical, effective, and responsive to the challenges of living in disaster-prone regions. Our communities deserve nothing less.

As the election draws closer, we look forward to hearing clear commitments from all sides to make disaster funding work for those who need it most.

Our councils are not just stakeholders in this conversation - we are essential partners in ensuring Queensland’s powerhouse region is prepared, protected, and supported now and into the future.