The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has voiced its disappointment over the State Government's decision to reject calls by councils to assist in funding to implement the recommendations issued in the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry.

 

Local Government Association of Queensland president Paul Bell said that while the association appreciated the funding support from both State and Federal Governments, he believed more assistance was required to implement the recommendations to protect communities from future disasters.

 

"Many council areas most vulnerable to a repeat of last summer's devastating deluge were those with the least financial capacity to pay the costs of implementing the measures that the floods inquiry urged,'' Cr Bell said.

 

"These councils form the frontline between disasters and their communities yet the Government's decision risks leaving them without the resources to put up a proper fight.''

 

To support affected councils the LGAQ is progressing several initiatives that respond directly to a number of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry.

 

LGAQ is seeking to ease costs pressures on individual councils by putting in place a number of collective agreements and solutions.

 

On behalf of all councils the Association is currently putting in place or reviewing Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with the following agencies:

  • Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ)
  • Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)
  • Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
  • Red Cross