The Australian Government says it will retain the existing disaster-recovery cost-sharing arrangement under its revised funding framework. The Commonwealth can provide up to 75 per cent of eligible recovery costs when specified criteria are met.
In a joint announcement dated Friday 9 October, Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain and Treasurer Jim Chalmers said councils would also retain the ability to claim costs under Counter Disaster Operations. They said funding activation thresholds would be revised.
The decision is relevant to Far North Queensland councils preparing for the coming disaster season. ABC Far North reported on Monday that Cook Shire mayor Robyn Holmes welcomed the reversal of the previously proposed change to recovery cost sharing.
The government's wording is up to 75 per cent, not a flat 75 per cent for every event or every council. Eligibility and activation conditions still apply. Readers should consult the official announcement for the full policy detail.
Illustration disclosure: The accompanying image is an AI-generated conceptual illustration of a generic tropical community after rain. It is not a photograph of a real disaster, location or recovery operation.
