Emergency funding changes would be disastrous for Douglas Shire
Disaster relief
A Federal Government proposal to overhaul the future allocation of disaster funding is set to have a huge impact on Douglas Shire Council’s budget bottom line down the track.
The council has relied heavily on the joint Federal and State Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements since Cyclone Jasper hit in December 2023, securing more than $160m in cash for projects as diverse as replacing Noah Creek Bridge, Alexandra Range repairs, water-main replacements and roadworks for the new four-lane Daintree Ferry.
Under the current DRFA Queensland - which experiences about 60 per cent of Australia’s natural disasters - has received about 64 per cent of its disaster funding from the Federal Government, but the Commonwealth wants to reduce that to 50 per cent.
DSC Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said this month the reduction was taking place on top of other federal cuts to local-government funding.
“The Federal Government plans to slash disaster recovery funding to the local-government sector,” she said.
“Could it get any worse for local governments in Queensland?”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the changes were about cutting back on red tape and bureaucracy.
"These changes will ensure faster support through a simpler scheme that is in place. It should not be an ad hoc arrangement," Mr Albanese said.
Federal Nationals leader Matt Canavan said any decision to split natural disaster funding 50/50 between State and Federal Governments would be done without proper consultation.
He said the decision has blindsided local councils across the country and Queensland would be badly impacted because it currently received the highest proportion of Commonwealth reimbursement.
Shadow Emergency Services Minister David Littleproud said councils were “incredibly upset and disappointed”.
“It has created uncertainty and fear for the small councils that don’t have the rate base to be able to protect themselves against natural disasters,” Mr Littleproud said.
“They rely on the bilateral agreement that state and federal governments have had in disaster management and recovery.”
State Government Disaster Recovery Minister Ann Leahy said bridges may be half repaired and roads may remain in ruins at a time when councils will not have the capacity to meet the shortfall.
The Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Alison Smith and Queensland Farmers’ Federation chief executive Jo Sheppard have also spoken out against the proposed DRFA changes.
