Noosa has joined councils across Queensland in opposing proposed federal changes to disaster recovery funding that could leave communities carrying a greater share of recovery costs after natural disasters.
At today's Ordinary Meeting, councillors unanimously supported Mayor Frank Wilkie's Mayoral Minute for Council to join a Queensland Government petition opposing changes to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Mayor Wilkie said the proposed reforms would remove safeguards that currently commit the Australian Government to contribute up to 75 per cent of disaster recovery funding when recovery costs exceed a state's capacity.
"Under the proposed model, Queensland would receive no more than 50 per cent Commonwealth funding, regardless of the scale or severity of disasters," he said.
Mayor Wilkie said Noosa residents have seen the benefits of the current funding arrangements first-hand. Since the DRFA began in 2018, Noosa has received about $198.2 million in disaster recovery funding.
"If the proposed arrangements had been in place during that period, the Queensland Government and/or Council would have faced an additional $27.7 million in costs - a cost shift of around 22 per cent," he said.
"That level of funding shortfall would affect our ability to restore essential infrastructure such as roads, drainage networks and waterways after disasters. Since 2021 alone, we've received around $182 million to restore these assets."
The Mayor said the existing funding model was critical to delivering major recovery projects, including the $40 million Black Mountain Road landslide reconstruction. The three-year project was made possible through joint Australian and Queensland Government funding under the DRFA, alongside a $400,000 Council contribution.
Cr Wilkie also warned the proposed changes could affect Category C and D recovery programs. Since 2018, Council has received about $14.78 million through these initiatives, which support recovery, resilience and community asset restoration.
"The proposed reforms could also reduce support for evacuation centres, sandbagging, emergency response activities and rapid repairs to essential infrastructure," Mayor Wilkie said.
"With natural disasters becoming more frequent, severe and costly, these changes risk reducing resources for recovery, resilience and preparedness."
Over the past summer, 71 of Queensland's 77 local government areas experienced disasters, including cyclones and widespread flooding.
In addition to signing the state petition, Council will write to the National Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Member for Wide Bay and Queensland senators to express its concerns.
"We will also provide feedback to the Local Government Association of Queensland for inclusion in a statewide response," the Mayor said.
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie on the proposed changes to disaster recovery funding in Queensland:
Mayor-Disaster-funding-Mayoral-minute.mp3
