Council Calls for Fair Disaster Recovery Funding

Published on 06 July 2026

Diamantina Shire Council has raised strong concerns about proposed changes by the Federal Government in relation to the funding model for the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). The current cost-sharing for DRFA between the Federal and State Governments will reduce from 75/25 to a proposed 50/50 arrangement. These proposed changes in funding will place significant financial pressure on remote councils and weaken disaster recovery efforts.

Mayor Francis Murray said the Disaster Recovery Funding Framework put forward by Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain on 5 June 2026 fails to recognise the realities of remote local governments like Diamantina, where small populations support vast infrastructure networks across some of the most isolated terrain in Australia.

“Diamantina Shire covers almost 95,000 square kilometres with a population of just over 250 people. Our ability to respond to and recover from disasters relies heavily on fair and sustainable funding partnerships,” Mayor Murray said.

Councils in remote regions face unique challenges. With a small ratepayer base and thousands of kilometres of roads and community assets to maintain, a 50/50 funding model could significantly reduce our capacity to recover from disasters and continue delivering essential services to our communities.

Flooding and severe weather events regularly trigger disaster activations across the region, resulting in prolonged road closures, disrupted supply of essential goods, and significant pressure on Council resources. Managing recovery across vast distances places considerable strain on staff, contractors, and road maintenance operations.

Flooding across the region has caused significant impacts in neighbouring shires, including stock losses and inundated properties, highlighting the scale of disaster risk across the Channel Country.

“Even when our local impacts are less severe, communities can still experience extended isolation, prolonged road closures, and the high cost of restoring access across vast distances—affecting supply chains, industries and communities across Western Queensland,” Mayor Murray said.

Council is calling on the Australian Government to reconsider the proposed framework and is urging regional stakeholders, industry groups, and local communities to support advocacy efforts to ensure disaster funding arrangements remain fair, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of remote Australia.

For further information, please contact:

Julianne Meier
Chief Executive Officer
Phone: 07 4746 1600
Email: ceo@diamantina.qld.gov.au