Better Arrangements Still Needed for Flood Mitigation and Recovery


1st February 2017

FMA President Ian Dinham says the December response by the Australian Government to the recommendations of the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Disaster Funding Arrangements, while encouraging, still leaves much to be desired.
 
“A plethora of reports has clearly demonstrated that investing in pre-disaster planning and mitigation is many times more cost effective than paying for recovery and repairs after the event” Mr Dinham commented.
 
“However there is no indication that the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments are close to an agreement on how this can be achieved.”
 
In regard to natural disaster recovery arrangements Mr Dinham said that the proposed upfront recovery funding model, to be tested with Councils, is a welcome development. Federal Minister for Justice Michael Keenan in his 23 November letter to FMA stated:
 
“The proposed new arrangements will provide a greater level of flexibility for state and local governments to spend recovery funding in a manner most suitable to local needs. This will also include removing restrictions around day labour and plant and equipment, and providing greater flexibility for damaged assets to be rebuilt to a more resilient standard.”
 
Mr Dinham said he has written to Minister Keenan requesting a meeting to discuss Members’ concerns about these issues.
 

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