In a major win for local government, the Federal Government announced late last month it would bring forward payments totalling almost $1.8 billion to the majority of states under the State and Commonwealth-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
ALGA president Cr Linda Scott said the government had listened to local government’s call for faster support and payments following unprecedented natural disasters over the past two years.
“In 2022 more than half of Australia’s 537 local government areas were impacted by fires, floods and cyclones, which destroyed homes, businesses, and our community infrastructure,” Cr Scott said.
“Two weeks ago, we met with the Prime Minister and key federal ministers at the first Australian Council of Local Government meeting in a decade and urged them to fast-track federal support that will enable us to more effectively rebuild our communities.
“We are thrilled the government has heard our call and responded with this once-off advance disaster recovery payment.
“This fast-tracked federal funding will play a key role in helping our disaster-impacted communities recover and rebuild.
“Councils are at the forefront of disaster recovery, but we can’t do it alone, and we greatly appreciate the support we receive from the Federal Government, and our state and territory governments.”
There were 46 disasters declared in 2022, with 524 disaster support declarations over 316 local government areas in Australia, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
“Ultimately, timely investment in recovery helps all levels of government to save money in the long term.”
