Emergency management

The frequency and severity of natural disasters in Australia are a major concern for local governments.

Between 2019 and 2023, 434 of Australia’s 537 councils were impacted by natural disasters.

Fires, floods and cyclones currently cost Australia $38 billion per year, and this is predicted to rise to $73 billion by 2060. Councils play a key role preparing for, responding to and recovering from natural disasters, but aren’t effectively funded to carry out these duties.

Unfortunately, regional communities, which have the least capacity to plan and respond to natural disasters, are often hit the hardest. Increased investment in disaster mitigation and resilience, as well as local government emergency management capacity and capability, will save money in the long term while better protecting Australian lives, homes and businesses.

Every additional dollar spent on mitigating the effects of climate-related natural disasters saves the government up to $8 in the long term, according to DFAT analysis.

ALGA is proposing $900 million per year in dedicated funding for councils to improve mitigation and resilience, and build their capacity and capability to respond to emergencies in our communities.

We are also asking the Commonwealth to fully deliver the recommendations from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements and other major inquiries, including the Colvin and Glasser Reviews.

The Independent Reviews by Colvin and Glasser support a strategic shift towards disaster risk reduction and resilience. The Colvin Review recommended a major capacity uplift for local government and an enhanced national training and exercise regime which tests and builds local government capacity.

ALGA’s response to these reviews reiterated the need for a sustainable funding model for disasters through a non-competitive pathway, and dedicated funding for local government.