Shaping the future of our region

North West Queensland leaders have ramped up their opposition to the federal government’s proposed disaster funding cuts a Disaster Funding and Agricultural Round Table in Julia Creek last week.

Joining the group at the table were Minister for Disaster Recovery, Ann Leahy, Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett, Assistant Minister for Primary Industry Development, Sean Dillon, Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter, AgForce President, Shane McCarthy and Queensland Reconstruction Authority, CEO Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd).

Remote communities could be left to foot million-dollar bills for critical disaster repairs and resilience works under proposed Federal Government changes to disaster recovery funding.

The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils is calling on the Federal Government to scrap a proposed move to 50:50 federal state funding, warning it would shift an impossible cost burden onto some of Australia’s most remote, disaster-exposed communities.

The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) is seeking an energetic and adventure driven appointee to be their inaugural Regional Waste Behaviour Change and Environmental Health Coordinator.

Reporting to the CEO to 30 June 2028, and based anywhere in North West Queensland, this split position will deliver two business functions for the benefit of NWQROC members and the broader communities they represent.

Disaster recovery policy must recognise the realities of place.

NWQROC does not support the proposed changes to Australia’s disaster recovery funding arrangements, particularly the move toward a 50:50 funding split between the Commonwealth and State.