Scenic Rim Regional Council has called on the Australian Government to reconsider proposed changes to the Federal Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), warning they could place greater financial pressure on councils and local communities.
Councillors unanimously endorsed a four-point response at the July Ordinary Meeting, supporting reforms that simplify and speed up disaster assistance while increasing investment in resilience.
However, Council does not support changes it says could reduce Commonwealth responsibility, transfer unfunded costs to state and local governments, or limit access to exceptional assistance and betterment funding.
Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp said the region had endured repeated floods, fires and other disasters since 2018, while also facing rising costs and infrastructure pressures.
He warned a proposed flat 50:50 cost-sharing arrangement could leave Council responsible for a greater share of disaster response and recovery expenses.
Local Disaster Management Group Chair Cr Stephen Moriarty said smaller councils could be disproportionately affected.
He also raised concerns about a proposed increase in the minimum disaster criterion trigger from about $240,000 to $2.7 million.
Council says the higher threshold could leave locally significant disasters, including the 2019 Queensland bushfires, ineligible for federal assistance and potentially shift counter-disaster operations and Local Disaster Coordination Centre costs onto councils.
The Council will continue advocating for funding arrangements that protect communities and support rapid disaster recovery.
Image source: scenicrim.qld.gov.au