Disaster funding certainty applauded; councils focus on next steps

Published on 21 October 2026

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Queensland councils have used their annual conference in Cairns to collectively applaud the Federal Government’s recent decision to retain its current disaster recovery funding contribution of up to 75 per cent, continuing to allow councils to claim costs under Counter Disaster Operations and revising funding activation thresholds to ensure all communities get the support they need.  

At the Local Government Association of Queensland Annual Conference today, councils thanked Canberra for listening and supported a motion outlining what more they wanted to see as the Federal Government continues its review of disaster funding arrangements, including the retention of betterment funding to support both large and small resilience projects.  

LGAQ President Mayor Matt Burnett thanked the Federal Government for listening to council concerns and retaining the current funding split.

He said councils were keen to see a fair, workable system that protected communities when they needed it most. 

The motion supported by councils calls on the Federal Government to continue working with councils and the State Government to finalise the planned changes to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and retain a sustainable disaster recovery funding framework by: 

  • Ensuring any future increases to disaster thresholds remain at a level that supports communities in disaster-prone areas, 
  • Ensuring continuing funding support for both small and large betterment projects by maintaining a mechanism in which efficiencies are reinvested into resilience programs and can help mitigate over runs and under spends, 
  • Engaging in genuine consultation with state and local governments on the design of assistance packages to ensure they reflect the varying nature of impacts from disasters and acknowledge the diversity of communities across Queensland. 
  • Ensuring any future changes to disaster recovery funding frameworks are subject to meaningful consultation with local governments and supported by a comprehensive assessment of financial impacts on councils and communities. 

"Importantly, it is about ensuring any future changes to disaster recovery funding frameworks are subject to meaningful consultation with local governments and supported by a comprehensive assessment of financial impacts on councils and communities," Mayor Burnett said. 

"Queensland is one of Australia’s most disaster-prone states, with local governments frequently responding to events including cyclones, floods, severe storms, bushfires, and other natural hazards. 

"Queensland local governments are at the frontline of disaster response and recovery, and play a critical role before, during, and after disaster events, including supporting communities, restoring essential infrastructure, and coordinating recovery activities. 

"Queensland communities deserve a fair, reliable and workable system of funding and Queensland councils are keen to continue working with the Federal Government to make it happen." 

ends 

For more information, please contact:

Dan Knowles, Media Advisor
Phone: 0432 681 664
Local Government Association of Queensland

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