Townsville City Council has today called on the Prime Minister to reconsider proposed changes to national disaster recovery funding, warning the reforms would place an unsustainable burden on North Queensland communities.
The motion was put forward by Mayor Nick Dametto in a Mayoral Minute in today's Ordinary Council meeting and supported by Councillors who voted unanimously in support.
Mayor Nick Dametto said the proposed changes to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) would significantly reduce Commonwealth support at a time when regional communities are facing increasing disaster impacts.
"Queensland is the most disaster-prone state in the country, and cities like Townsville know all too well the importance of recovering quickly and effectively," Cr Dametto said.
"The proposed shift from a 75:25 to a 50:50 funding split will push more cost onto the State and local governments, leaving a projected $1.5 billion shortfall across Queensland.
"That is not just a budget figure - it's a real impact on our ability to rebuild roads, restore infrastructure and get our community back on its feet after disaster.
"As an example, under this model the immediate reconstruction of the Sooning Street bridge on Magnetic Island would require State and Council to find an additional $3.52million which would have only delayed the commencement of these essential works further."
Councillor Dametto said the changes would also see the cancellation of the DRFA Efficiencies Program, which had delivered $18.4 million in vital funding to Townsville since 2019.
"That funding has supported practical, on-the-ground outcomes - from generators that keep critical pump stations, water and sewer services running during outages, to road upgrades in our rural areas and critical flood studies," he said.
"Without it, many of these projects simply wouldn't have happened."
Council also raised concerns about the removal of Category D Betterment funding, which supports recovery in exceptional disaster circumstances.
"This funding has been critical following events like Tropical Cyclone Kirrily and the 2025 North and Far North Tropical Low," Cr Dametto said.
"It has helped restore coastal systems, repair key infrastructure and support impacted communities in areas like Pallarenda, Rowes Bay and Cungulla."
Councillor Dametto said the proposed changes failed to reflect the realities faced by regional and disaster-prone communities.
"Local government is on the frontline of disaster recovery, but we cannot carry a greater share of the cost without consequences," he said.
"These changes risk slowing recovery, delaying essential works and placing additional pressure on core services our community relies on every day."
Council has resolved to make a formal submission to the National Emergency Management Agency and will write to the Prime Minister, Federal Minister for Emergency Management and local Federal representatives calling for the changes to be reconsidered.
"This is about standing up for North Queenslanders," Cr Dametto said.
"We need a funding model that recognises the scale of the challenge we face and supports communities to recover properly and come back stronger after disaster."
