Mayor warns disaster funding changes could hurt regional communities
Published on 18 June 2026
Gympie Regional Council is calling on the Australian Government to ensure proposed changes to national disaster funding do not unfairly shift the burden of recovery onto regional communities.
At yesterday’s Ordinary Meeting, Council unanimously resolved to advocate strongly against the changes, which it says will place additional financial strain on disaster-affected councils and delay recovery efforts across regions already facing increasing natural disasters.
Mayor Glen Hartwig said the proposed changes risk undermining the ability of communities like Gympie to recover quickly and safely after disaster events.
“Regional communities like ours are on the frontline of natural disasters, and we simply cannot afford to have recovery funding reduced or delayed,” Mayor Hartwig said.
“We are calling on the Federal Government to urgently reconsider these changes to ensure disaster recovery funding remains equitable, timely and adequate.”
Mayor Glen Hartwig said the changes proposed by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albenese, included a new Disaster Recovery Funding Framework intended to simplify arrangements and get support to communities faster.
However, it also included a move to a 50/50 funding split between the Commonwealth and State governments raising serious concerns about financial sustainability for disaster-prone regions such as Gympie.
“For regions like ours - where disasters are frequent and infrastructure networks are extensive - this change risks shifting a greater financial burden onto states and, ultimately, local councils and its community.
"In the past four years alone we, as a Region, have recorded nine declared disaster events.
“For Council, this has meant that since 2022 we have been continuously pushing through an extensive recovery program while also delivering our usual and ongoing repair and maintenance programs.
“This impacts on how we deliver, how much we can deliver, and of course at what financial cost. The 2022 disaster event cost council about $120m while disaster recovery efforts in 2025 and 2026 are expected to reach $70m by the time the works are completed.
“If the changes to the funding model go ahead, it will not only mean delays to the rebuilding of roads, bridges and public assets. It will mean more pressure on council finances and ultimately our ratepayers. It will mean regional communities are left carrying a greater share of the cost of disasters that are becoming more frequent, more severe and more expensive.”
Council will write to the Prime Minister, relevant Federal Ministers and local Federal Members of Parliament to outline its strong opposition and advocate for immediate action.
Council will also work alongside the State Government, other local governments and peak bodies, including the Local Government Association of Queensland, to present a united front in opposing the proposed changes.
Mayor Hartwig said community support is also critical in protecting the region’s future resilience.
“We encourage our community to stand with us. This is about ensuring Gympie and other regional areas are not left behind when disaster strikes.
“So stand up, make it your business to understand the impacts of the proposed disaster funding changes, and advocate to your local Federal and State MPs so that they know our community cannot afford to foot the bill when the next disaster hits.
“And if you don’t have the time to do anything else to make your voice heard – at least sign the State Government’s petition listen2qld.com/disaster-funding – if we do nothing, we’ll get nothing.”
ENDS