Douglas Shire Council has blasted the Productivity Commission over planned changes to the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangement (NDRRA).

At a special Council Meeting last week, Douglas Shire Council resolved to make a written submission to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into NDRRA funding outlining their objections.

Mayor Julia Leu and Chief Executive Officer Linda Cardew will present theses issues at a Hearing to be conducted by the Commission in Townsville on Thursday. 

The Productivity Commission plans to take Commonwealth funding from natural disaster recovery payments - such as rebuilding and cleaning up after a cyclone - and redirect it into natural disaster resilience - such as building seawalls to resist erosion.

Cr Leu said continuation of adequate disaster funding is of critical importance to all councils affected by natural disasters nationwide. 

“Any reduction in the current government natural disaster funding arrangements will impact severely on the local government sector and will place an unfair burden on particularly small, remote communities, with limited resources who have typically borne the brunt of a number of disasters in recent years,” she said.

“The importance of financial sustainability, the use of day labour, road asset conditions and risk mitigation are all relevant issues for a small Council that need to be addressed.

“Ensuring adequate funding for restoration of essential infrastructure and services in a timely manner will assist to lighten any social, economic or environmental anxiety or trauma that may otherwise be experienced.”

Ms Cardew was similarly concerned about the effects of the planned changes.

"With our weather up here we would have a very limited window for resilience construction," she said.

"And then if we were to experience a significant cyclone event with a total damage bill of $50 million, combined with a Commonwealth funding shortfall of 25%, we would be in a lot of trouble. 

"Our financial position would be severely compromised."