Federal cuts to disaster recovery will cost Somerset millions
Published on 23 July 2026
Somerset Regional Council has delivered 44 betterment projects with support from the DRFA since 2013, including the Patrick Estate Road Bridge which was upgraded following the 2022 floods.
IF THE Commonwealth Government has its way with disaster recovery funding, Somerset Regional Council would face cost shifts in the millions, increasing the burden on ratepayers amid a cost-of-living crisis.
Under the proposed new model, the Disaster Recovery Funding Framework (DRFF), the Commonwealth would reduce its contribution to disaster recovery to 50 per cent.
Had this model applied since 2018, funding received by Somerset would have fallen from $61.3 million to $47.9 million.
This would mean a cost-shift of $13.4 million to the State and Council, with ratepayers forced to pick up the slack.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the shortfall was not acceptable.
“This will have huge ramifications for smaller, regional councils like ours which have a limited rate base, while also being more susceptible to natural disasters like floods and bushfires,” Cr Wendt said.
“Our community will be far worse off under the proposed framework; they’ll feel it in their communities and in their hip pockets.”
The Commonwealth has also proposed changes to disaster funding thresholds and reductions to betterment funding programs.
Since 2013, through the DRFA and previous funding arrangements, Council has delivered 44 betterment projects across the region.
Betterment works include road and bridge upgrades, improving connectivity and resilience during natural disasters and ensuring vital community assets can stand the test of time.
Cr Wendt said analysis of the proposed changes indicated only one of the 44 betterment projects would have been fully funded by the DRFA.
“The remaining 43 projects would have only been eligible for a total of $1,056,700 – a shortfall of $11.8 million.”
Cr Wendt said additional funding packages used to support the community may no longer be available.
“Since 2018 we have received $6.6 million through the DRFA for assistance and resilience grants, economic recovery support, and funding for flood studies, risk assessments, management studies and intelligence systems,” Cr Wendt said.
“These packages may no longer be available under the proposed plans, placing even greater financial pressure on councils, primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit groups.”
Cr Wendt said the Commonwealth needed to seriously reconsider its new proposed funding model.
“This is a huge cost shift and would leave councils with difficult decisions after natural disaster events,” Cr Wendt said.
“Either we build back our infrastructure to the same or worse conditions, or we pass the cost of betterment onto ratepayers amid a cost-of-living crisis.
“These changes could not be coming at a worse time with our communities already dealing with high inflation, high fuel prices and a surging frequency of natural disasters.
“We have joined Queensland councils, the Local Government Association of Queensland and the State Government in calling on the Commonwealth to scrap its plans to cut disaster recovery funding.”
Residents are encouraged to show their support by signing the State Government’s petition: listen2qld.com/disaster-funding