The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has lodged a 67-page submission with the National Emergency Management Agency, calling for the Federal Government’s proposed changes to disaster funding to be scrapped.
The Association warns the proposed changes would gut Queensland’s ability to respond to the inevitable natural disasters the state faces every single year.
The NEMA model would see federal funding reduced to Queensland, dropping from the current 64:36 split, and sometimes as high as 75:25, down to a 50:50 ratio.
Since the proposed funding change was announced in June to replace the current Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) with the proposed Disaster Recovery Funding Framework (DRFF), the LGAQ and councils across Queensland have highlighted the threat the proposed DRFF model represents to communities hit by natural disasters.
LGAQ President, Matt Burnett (pictured) said the view of councils was one of “deep concern for the future of disaster recovery and resilience” if the proposed DRFF model was forced on the state.
“The LGAQ and councils have sent a clear message to the Federal Government to abandon the DRFF and retain the current model that has a proven track record of getting Queensland communities back on their feet after natural disasters strike,” Mayor Burnett said.
“Councils have been loud and clear – ditch this dud deal for Queensland communities.”
LGAQ Chief Executive Officer, Alison Smith said Queensland councils dealt with disasters every year and the current DRFA had proven it worked.
“Councils have looked at the figures and the new model will create a funding blackhole which will severely impact how Queensland responds to and repairs from natural disasters,” Ms Smith said.
“For all Queenslanders, it is not a matter of if, but when the next disaster will impact their community.
“Queensland is plagued with simultaneous and compounding severe weather events occurring across the state every year, and the proposed framework announced by the Federal government would reduce Commonwealth support to vulnerable communities.
“Queensland councils are the first to respond in a disaster, are the first to commence recovery, and are actively involved in the planning for resilience projects that can help their community be stronger ahead of the next disaster.
“Councils do this because communities depend on them every day and are there for them to weather the storm together. However, local governments cannot continue to fulfill this role without an equitable and sustainable funding partnership with state and federal governments.”
The LGAQ submission includes asking that the Federal Government:
- Retains the current level of funding provided through DRFA;
- Retains an appropriate level at which funding is activated to recognise the extraordinary events that impact Queensland each year;
- Retains the eligibility of Counter Disaster Operations (CDO) expenditure;
- Retains the way in which Betterment projects and efficiencies are managed and delivered within Queensland; and
- Works in partnership with state and local governments to co-design future risk reduction funding streams that draw on the experience of disaster management within Queensland.
The LGAQ submission also includes modelling from all 77 local government areas revealing how communities would be negatively affected under the funding deal.
