Disaster recovery funding cuts to dominate coastal councils’ forum

Published on 28 July 2026

The Federal Government’s controversial plan to cut disaster recovery funding will be top of the agenda at the Local Government Association of Queensland’s two-day Coastal Leaders Forum, starting Wednesday at Shute Harbour Marine Terminal in the Whitsunday Region. 

In March 2017, the terminal was damaged beyond repair by Tropical Cyclone Debbie and was rebuilt with disaster recovery funding from the Federal and State Governments. 

With councils across Australia strongly opposed to the proposed Federal Government cuts to disaster recovery funding, and with Queensland's next disaster season just around the corner, the issue is a top priority for the state's councils.

LGAQ President Mayor Matt Burnett said coastal communities were regularly in the firing line of natural disasters including cyclones, storm surges and flooding rain.

“When the Federal Government receives 80 cents of every dollar paid in tax, it is only fair that they continue to support impacted communities with the biggest share of funding to get these communities back up on their feet,” Mayor Burnett said.

LGAQ chief executive officer Alison Smith said the Federal Government’s proposed new Disaster Recovery Funding Framework stands to shift the cost of disaster recovery onto financially stretched communities. 

“This would be incredibly unfair on many vulnerable communities in Queensland,” Ms Smith said.

“As the peak body for the State’s 77 councils in Australia’s most disaster-prone state, we urge the Government to boost rather than cut disaster recovery funding. 

"Queensland communities have benefitted from a strong partnership and funding arrangement between Federal and State Governments in recent disasters, and councils just want to see this existing partnership continue.” 

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said councils needed the reassurance the Federal Government was there to back communities when they were hit by natural disasters. 

“Our region’s been well versed with disasters like Tropical Cyclone Debbie back in 2017 and we need to provide assurance to our key industries that they can recover,” Mayor Collins said.

Mayor Collins said Whitsunday Regional Council was delighted to be hosting coastal councils from across Queensland. 

“There’s so much benefit in councils being able to listen to each other and the experts, swapping ideas and solutions and gaining ideas to help take back to their own communities,” Mayor Collins said. 

The Coastal Leaders Forum, hosted by the LGAQ, brings together Mayors, councillors, and CEOs from Queensland’s councils serving coastal communities from Torres Strait to the Gold Coast. 

The forum focuses on the issues shaping coastal communities, from climate change risk and resilience, insurance, housing and infrastructure tourism and programs including the Reef Guardians. 

The forum’s program features leading industry speakers, government updates and panels with mayors and industry experts, alongside practical case studies and council-led discussions.

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For more information, please contact:

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