June 16, 2026
The Local Government Association of Queensland – the peak body for local councils – fears the Federal Government is stepping away from supporting Queensland in times of disaster.
The LGAQ has called on the government to reinstate a restocking allowance, which was cancelled last month.
This follows last week’s announcement of changes to disaster recovery funding and reduced baseline council funding in last month’s Federal Budget.
The LGAQ said Queensland councils were now facing a “triple whammy” of funding cuts.
“The decision not to fund a restocking allowance to help flood-ravaged producers get back on their feet has left producers, and the local communities and businesses they support, more vulnerable when natural disaster strikes,” president Matt Burnett said.
“We’re calling for the urgent reinstatement of the restocking allowance, given the vital role it plays in putting food on the nation’s plates and supporting local economies.”
LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said the series of Federal Government funding cuts was pushing many councils to breaking point.
“The Federal Government’s plans to cut its funding under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) is a dud deal for Queenslanders,” she said.
“This year, 74 of Queensland’s 77 local government areas were disaster declared – that’s around 96 per cent of the State.”
Queensland Farmers’ Federation CEO Jo Sheppard said the Federal Government must reconsider the DRFA changes, saying that shifting to a 50/50 Federal-State split would disproportionately affect Queensland farmers and regional communities.
“Queensland is unfortunately Australia’s most disaster-impacted State, experiencing more than half of the nation’s natural disaster events and subsequent economic and social impacts,” Ms Sheppard said.
