MRC calls on Australian Government to abandon disaster funding changes

Published on 23 July 2026

Maranoa Regional Council is urging the Australian Government to abandon proposed changes to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), warning the reforms could see the Commonwealth contribute millions of dollars less towards rebuilding roads and public infrastructure damaged by natural disasters across regional Queensland.

Under the proposed changes, the Australian Government would replace the current disaster funding model with a fixed 50:50 cost-sharing arrangement between the Commonwealth and State Governments.

Council is concerned the reforms could see the Australian Government contribute millions of dollars less towards rebuilding roads and infrastructure damaged by natural disasters across regions like the Maranoa, leaving other levels of government to carry a greater share of the cost.

Mayor Wendy Taylor said Council supported genuine reform of disaster recovery funding, but reducing Commonwealth support was not reform.

"The people of the Maranoa know all too well the impact natural disasters have on our communities," Mayor Taylor said.

"When roads are cut, families are isolated, businesses are disrupted and producers can lose access to their properties, markets, suppliers and essential services. Restoring those connections as quickly as possible is critical.

"Council has always supported reforms that make disaster recovery faster, more practical and more effective. If there are opportunities to reduce bureaucracy, provide greater flexibility and help communities recover sooner, we will always support those conversations.

"But reducing the level of support available to regional communities is not reform. It simply shifts the burden onto communities when they are at their most vulnerable."

Deputy Mayor and Portfolio for Rural Roads, Cameron O'Neil, said the proposal failed to recognise the realities of disaster recovery in regional Australia.

"Let's call it what it is. This is not reform. It is a cost shift dressed up as reform," Cr O'Neil said.

"Regional communities like the Maranoa already contribute enormously to the national economy through agriculture, energy production, freight and resources. When disaster strikes those communities, the Australian Government should be standing beside them, not stepping back from them.

"We've spent years advocating for greater flexibility, less bureaucracy and practical reforms that allow roads and infrastructure to be rebuilt faster and smarter. We have never been asking for less support.

"Changing the funding formula doesn't make rebuilding roads any cheaper. The damage is still there. The roads still need rebuilding. These proposed changes simply shift more of the recovery burden away from the Australian Government."

Maranoa Regional Council will prepare a formal submission to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) outlining its concerns with the proposed reforms and will write to the Prime Minister, the Federal Minister for Emergency Management and Queensland's Federal representatives calling on the Australian Government to abandon the proposed changes and work with local government to strengthen, rather than weaken, disaster recovery arrangements.