3.6.1 Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements (NDRA)

3.6.1.1  Arrangements for natural disaster funding should be amended to allow flexibility in use of that funding for its application toward upgrading of damaged assets where it is deemed necessary and appropriate.  Funds for this upgrading of assets should be made available on the basis of equal shares of funding from Federal, State and Local Government Governments.

3.6.1.2  The Federal Government should establish a national mitigation fund to assist Local Governments undertake mitigation works resulting from the development of Local Government disaster risk management plans.

3.6.2 Fire Services

3.6.2.1  Administration of the Fire Services Levy should be made as simple and practical as possible by the State Government to minimise the burden placed on Local Government by this additional function.

3.6.2.2  Local Governments should be fully compensated for all costs involved in establishing and administering the Fire Services Levy.

3.6.2.3  Local Government should be kept informed of State Government proposals and initiatives relating to the planning for or expansion of fire services.

3.6.2.4  Local Government supports the concept that there be no State Government fire levy on rural properties for the purpose of funding Rural Fire Brigades, but not to the extent of precluding a discretionary power for Local Governments to raise funding for rural fire brigades.

3.6.3 Terrorism

3.6.3.1  Local Government should be kept fully informed of Federal and State Governments proposals and initiatives relating to counter-terrorism, in particular, critical infrastructure risk assessment and management strategies.

3.6.3.2  Financial assistance should be provided by Federal and State Governments for Local Government to undertake risk assessment studies and develop mitigation strategies in relation to the protection of critical infrastructure potentially impacted upon by terrorist activities.