14/03/2026
Accountability
Disaster Preparedness, Funding Transparency, and Community Response
Prepared for: North Burnett community stakeholders
Purpose: To seek transparency and accountability regarding disaster preparedness, response, and funding affecting the North Burnett region.
1. Background
Recent flood conditions along the Burnett River prompted significant concern among residents in parts of the North Burnett region, particularly in areas such as Mundubbera.
Community members observed rising river conditions and began assisting neighbours in lower-lying areas, with several residents voluntarily helping to notify or support others to move to safer locations.
During this event, residents raised questions regarding:
• timing of emergency warnings
• activation of disaster coordination arrangements
• visible preparedness and response measures
• whether existing disaster preparedness funding has translated into effective systems on the ground.
These concerns have prompted a broader community discussion about disaster preparedness, funding transparency, and service delivery across the region.
2. Disaster Funding Context
Disaster recovery funding in Queensland is primarily delivered through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), a joint program between the Australian Government and Queensland Government.
The DRFA can fund:
• emergency response operations
• reconstruction of essential public assets such as roads, bridges and drainage
• community recovery assistance
• resilience and betterment infrastructure.
Preliminary review of publicly available information suggests that multiple disaster events since 2019 have triggered funding affecting the North Burnett region, largely related to infrastructure reconstruction.
However, a complete public record showing the total amount of disaster funding affecting the region across all programs is not easily accessible.
This has led to community interest in understanding:
• how much disaster funding has entered the region
• how funding has been allocated geographically
• how much funding has been spent on preparedness versus recovery.
3. Preparedness and Resilience Funding
In addition to disaster recovery funding, governments also fund preparedness and resilience programs, which aim to reduce risk before disasters occur.
Examples of such programs include:
• disaster resilience grants
• community preparedness initiatives
• person-centred emergency preparedness programs.
Community members have raised questions about:
• which organisations in the North Burnett have received preparedness funding
• what preparedness activities have been delivered locally
• how vulnerable or at-risk residents are being identified and supported to prepare for disasters.
Understanding the flow and outcomes of preparedness funding is an important part of evaluating how well communities are supported before emergencies occur.
4. Local Disaster Response Systems
Local governments in Queensland coordinate disaster response through Local Disaster Management Groups (LDMGs).
These groups bring together agencies such as:
• council representatives
• police
• fire and emergency services
• ambulance services
• community and infrastructure agencies.
LDMGs operate under a Local Disaster Management Plan, which outlines activation procedures, coordination roles, and communication arrangements.
Community members have expressed interest in understanding:
• how these systems operate during flood events
• when coordination centres are activated
• how emergency warnings are issued
• how communities receive timely information during emergencies.
5. Rates and Service Delivery
Alongside disaster preparedness concerns, residents have also raised broader questions regarding rates and service delivery within the region.
Community discussion has highlighted concerns regarding:
• recent increases in council rates
• changes in service levels
• council asset sales and financial management.
Residents have expressed interest in understanding how local government revenue, disaster funding, and preparedness investments translate into visible services and protections for communities.
6. Information Transparency
One challenge identified during this review is that information about disaster funding and preparedness programs is distributed across multiple agencies and documents.
Relevant information may sit with:
• local government budgets and reports
• Queensland Reconstruction Authority programs
• Queensland Government disaster declarations
• state or federal preparedness grant programs
• non-government organisations delivering preparedness initiatives.
This fragmentation makes it difficult for residents to gain a clear understanding of how funding flows into their region and how it is used.
7. Next Steps
To provide greater clarity for the community, the following actions are being explored:
• reviewing publicly available council budgets, annual reports, and disaster management plans
• mapping disaster events and reconstruction programs affecting the region
• identifying preparedness and resilience funding programs delivered locally
• seeking further information from relevant government agencies
• lodging Right to Information (RTI) requests where necessary.
The aim is not to assign blame, but to improve transparency, strengthen preparedness, and ensure communities have clear information about how disaster systems and funding operate.
8. Community Engagement
Community members are encouraged to contribute information that may help build a clearer picture of disaster preparedness and response in the region, including:
• local experiences during recent flood events
• information about preparedness programs delivered locally
• observations about emergency communications during disasters.
Community input can help ensure that the information gathered reflects the lived experience of residents across the North Burnett.
9. Commitment to Transparency
Rural communities rely heavily on effective disaster preparedness and coordinated emergency response systems.
Ensuring transparency around disaster funding, preparedness programs, and emergency coordination helps strengthen community trust and supports better planning for future events.
Further updates will be provided as additional verified information becomes available. RTIs have been submitted.
