Queenslanders helping Queenslanders:partnership strengthens statewide
Published on 22 October 2026
Queenslanders preparing for, responding to, or recovering from disasters will continue to benefit from the strong support and experience of neighbouring councils thanks to a renewed commitment for a unique disaster capacity building program.
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and RACQ announced the continuation of their partnership this week at the 130th LGAQ Annual Conference in Cairns, following a successful 2025 off-season pilot involving 26 councils.
The Council to Council (C2C) Resilience Initiative program connects councils across Queensland outside of the disaster season, to provide professional development and facilitate shared learnings for local government's existing network of skilled local government disaster management teams.
LGAQ CEO Alison Smith thanked RACQ for its ongoing commitment and support.
“This is Queenslanders helping Queenslanders,” she said.
“By connecting councils and communities to share expertise across the state, we can reduce pressure on local staff, maintain essential services and support more coordinated response and recovery efforts.
“On the heels of Get Ready Week and in the lead-up to disaster season – this is an important recognition of the role of councils and key community stakeholders on the frontline of disasters - they understand better than anyone that every community, operating environment and disaster is different.”
RACQ Chief Executive Community MJ Bellotti said the partnership reflected RACQ’s commitment to helping Queensland communities become stronger and better prepared for disasters.
“RACQ has a long history of supporting Queenslanders when they need us most, and this partnership is about building that support well before disaster strikes,” Ms Bellotti said.
“By investing in local capability and stronger connections between communities, we can help Queenslanders be better placed to face whatever comes their way.”
Chief Executive RACQ Insurance Trent Sayers said the partnership would help strengthen the resilience of Queensland communities.
“We are proud to continue supporting a program that brings councils and communities together and turns shared knowledge into stronger local disaster preparedness,” he said.
“When disaster strikes, established relationships and experienced people make a real difference – especially when fatigue kicks in. C2C is helping build a broader network of skilled professionals who can support communities both remotely and on the ground.”
About the program
- Queensland is Australia’s most disaster-prone state, with the increasing frequency, intensity and complexity of events placing sustained pressure on local councils. During the 2026 summer season, 75 of Queensland’s 77 councils were disaster impacted.
- Established by the LGAQ, C2C supports skilled personnel and resources from unaffected councils to be rapidly deployed to communities experiencing a disaster.
- Support from the RACQ enabled the C2C Capacity Building Pilot to launch in 2025, bringing together 26 councils through targeted site visits, practical training, scenario testing, workshops, and peer-to-peer learning, as part of the C2C initiative.
- The renewed partnership will see a continuation of the success of the pilot, by supporting the professional exchange of expertise through the engagement with councils, key stakeholders, and communities within regions across the state that have been hit hard by disasters in recent years.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Dan Knowles, Media Advisor
Phone: 0432 681 664
Local Government Association of Queensland