News
Regional Waste Behaviour Change Coordinator
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 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.
Carpentaria warns disaster funding changes could put emergency fodder response at risk
Carpentaria Shire Council is warning proposed changes to Australia’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) could make large-scale emergency responses such as coordinated fodder drops harder to fund in future disasters.
During major North West Queensland flooding earlier this year, the Australian and Queensland Governments jointly funded an initial $2 million emergency fodder support package, including Carpentaria Shire, followed by a $12 million Coordinated Emergency Fodder Support Package across 10 flood-affected council areas. The assistance supports extraordinary costs associated with getting emergency fodder to isolated livestock.
NWQROC lodges submission opposing proposed Disaster Management Reforms
The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) has lodged a formal submission to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) strongly opposing the Federal Government’s proposed Disaster Management Reforms, warning that the changes would leave remote communities exposed, delay recovery, and shift millions of dollars in additional costs onto councils and primary industries.
Advocating for practical and regionally appropriate disaster funding
Cr Barry Hughes, NWQROC Chair & Mayor, Etheridge Shire Council
North West Queensland is used to carrying more than its fair share of the load when it comes to natural disasters. What we can't carry is a bigger share of the bill.
That's the message that shaped our agenda as the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils hosted a Disaster and Agriculture Roundtable in Julia Creek last week.
Mornington Island faces multi-million-dollar shortfall under Federal disaster funding cutback
When Tropical Cyclone Kirrily cut Ballaleah Road on Mornington Island in early 2024, residents were shut off with no alternate road to take. Under a proposed change to disaster funding by the Albanese government, the next repair bill could be one that Council simply cannot pay.
North West Queensland unites against federal disaster funding changes
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 face millions in disaster recovery shortfalls under Federal proposal
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.
Regional Waste Behaviour Change and Environmental Health Coordinator
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.
NWQROC statement on federal government’s proposed DRFA changes
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.
North West Queensland council funding and fiscal sustainability in focus at Townsville hearing
Representatives from the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils spoke at the Inquiry into Local Government Funding and Fiscal Sustainability held in Townsville today.
The hearing discussions provided an important platform for our region’s leaders to highlight the structural challenges facing councils across North West Queensland - one of Queensland’s most remote, geographically vast and economically significant regions.
Expressions of Interest - NWQROC Management of Legacy Waste Stockpiles
The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitably qualified Respondents to provide information and engage in discussions regarding options for the removal and potential reuse of waste streams and legacy waste across the NWQROC region.
Disaster-hit regions call out Albanese government’s decision to reject support
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being urged to urgently reverse his government’s decision to reject an application for a restocking allowance to support the agricultural industry to get back on its feet following the devastating North West Queensland floods.
Mayors from across the North West impacted by the disasters have joined with key industry groups AgForce and the Queensland Farmers Federation in a call to the Federal Government to not to turn its back on primary producers and communities when they need support the most.
Keeping the North West moving through challenges and opportunity
If you live in the North West, or you have travelled through our part of the world, you know distance is our everyday reality. Hitting the road or taking a flight is part of life, business, education, health and work.
Rebuilding North West Qld: a regional effort
This week I was pleased to lead a delegation from the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils - taking our regional priorities directly to Canberra. Top of our agenda understandably was investment in recovery and building resilience across our region.
Backed by a strong foundation in our Enabling Infrastructure Masterplan, we advocated for a stronger, more strategic approach to infrastructure investment, one that recognises the unique challenges of remote and regional Australia. We highlighted the lived experiences of our communities and made the case for long-term resilience, not just short-term fixes.
North West leaders raise alarm at short-sighted electoral boundary changes
North West Queensland mayors have voiced strong opposition to the proposed state electoral boundary changes, warning they will diminish the voice of remote communities and undermine critical collaboration.
Representing the region’s 12 councils, the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) says the draft redistribution, which would see the electorate of Traeger renamed Flinders and expanded east to incorporate part of the abolished seat of Hill, fails to reflect reality on the ground.
NWQROC wraps up Brisbane delegation
North West Queensland was on the agenda in Brisbane last week as North West Queensland council leaders from across the region joined a delegation to meet with State Government Ministers, Members of Parliament and senior departmental representatives.
NWQROC delegation: Advocacy in action in Brisbane
This week, a North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils delegation will be in Brisbane for two days of meetings with State Government Ministers, Members of Parliament and senior departmental representatives.
This delegation brings together mayors, councillors and chief executive officers from across our region, united in a clear purpose – to advocate for North West Queensland and to ensure our communities are front of mind in government decision-making.
Gilbert River Bridge failure again highlights urgent infrastructure gap
Local leaders from across North West and Far North Queensland say repeated flooding and ongoing safety risks at a key, cross-regional link – the Gilbert River Bridge - highlight the urgent need for a firm funding commitment from state and federal governments to deliver a fit-for-purpose replacement crossing.
North West Queenslanders call on government to urgently cut disaster red tape
As North West Queensland enters a second week of devastating flooding, local leaders are calling on the Australian and Queensland governments to urgently reduce bureaucracy and improve access to disaster funding for primary producers and local businesses.
With more rain and a potential cyclone forecast, councils, communities, business and primary producers remain focused on response and early recovery, while raising concerns about the complexity and delays associated with accessing disaster assistance.
North West Qld councils call out critical flood warning shortfalls as communities brace for more rain
The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) has called out the inadequacy and unreliability of flood warning data that continues to risk lives and livelihoods, as flooding continues and communities prepare for further severe weather.