August 12, 2026
Proposed Federal Government changes to Disaster Relief Funding Arrangements risk weakening regional Queensland’s ability to recover from natural disasters, according to a large group of Queensland mayors.
Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald, who chairs the Darling Downs and South West Queensland Council of Mayors, said the proposed funding cuts were occurring at the same time as councils’ exposure to disasters continues to rise.
The group represents just 10 of Queensland’s 77 councils but maintains about 25 per cent of Queensland’s local government road network.
“Our councils have delivered more than a billion dollars in recovery works since 2018. We know what it takes to rebuild communities, and we know how vital Commonwealth support is,” Mayor McDonald said.
“A reduction of more than $230 million in future disaster funding would hit regional Queensland hardest. After a year where 96 per cent of councils were disaster declared, now is not the time to reduce support.”
The DDSWQ Council of Mayors represents the communities of Bulloo, Quilpie, Paroo, Murweh, Maranoa, Balonne, Western Downs, Goondiwindi, Southern Downs and Toowoomba.
