FMA Raises Natural Disaster Recovery Concerns

FMA President Ian Dinham has raised concerns about the “tightening” of Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) in recent times. In a letter to Commonwealth Justice Minister the Hon Michael Keenan Mr Dinham said that there is concern that Local Government Councils are no longer able to afford restoration of assets following declared natural disasters, as many items which used to be eligible for funding are no longer eligible.

There is now a long list of ineligibility criteria which severely impacts on a Council’s ability to act responsibly in the flood recovery phase – by being swift, pragmatic and compassionate.

“For example having to engage private consultants and external contractors to reinstate vital road and other infrastructure links in order for them to be eligible for NDRRA funding can add significantly to the overall costs for recovery, as well as prolonging interruption timeframes for our communities and industries” Mr Dinham said.

Mr Dinham said that FMA supports the Minister’s efforts following the Productivity Commission Report on Natural Disaster Funding Arrangements to redirect funding to mitigation so that savings in flood damage can be made. However these efforts need to be measured, as local Councils are the lowest level of Government and the least able to afford to maintain their assets, let alone fix them after natural disasters.

Disaster recovery arrangements will be further discussed at meetings with FMA’s Members in Brisbane and Sydney in November.