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Following severe natural disaster events, Local, State and Commonwealth Governments respond through a coordinated range of counter disaster management arrangements to address both the physical and financial needs of affected communities.

This page provides an overview of Queensland's Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements. It is not intended to be used as an authority for action taken as a result of a disaster event and should not be considered as a policy document.

Commonwealth/State Arrangements

The prime mechanism utilised by the Queensland Government for providing assistance to communities affected by natural disaster events is the Commonwealth/State Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements (NDRA).

These longstanding arrangements provide a cost sharing formula (between the Queensland and Commonwealth Government) as well as a range of pre-agreed relief measures which may be activated by the Queensland Government immediately following a disaster event, once a need has been established.

The Commonwealth Minister for Local Government Territories and Roads determines terms and conditions of assistance under NDRA (including loan and subsidy ceilings). All assistance schemes must comply with the Minister's determination and are subject to Commonwealth acceptance.

NDRA Objective

"To assist the recovery of communities whose social, financial and economic well-being has been severely affected by a natural disaster event"

Disaster relief measures are designed to help those within the community who do not have the resources to provide for their own recovery.

The various schemes address specific needs, which exist within a stricken community as well as providing a safety net for disaster victims.

Assistance is NOT provided as compensation for damage/losses sustained or as a disincentive to self-help by way of commercial insurance and/or other appropriate disaster mitigation strategies.

Funding is also provided to Government Agencies and Local Government to facilitate the restoration of public infrastructure.

While the relief schemes provide a measure of financial support, the primary responsibility for the safeguarding and restoration of private and public assets remains with the owner who should plan for the vagaries of nature.

Eligible Natural Disaster Events

Eligible natural disasters under NDRA include anyone, or combination of, the natural phenomena: Cyclone, Flood, Storm, Bushfire, Storm Surge, Tsunami, Tornado and Earthquake. Landslides "which are the direct result of bushfire, cyclone, earthquake, flood or storm where poor environmental planning practices or commercial development have not been significant contributing factors" are also eligible.

Drought is not an eligible NDRA event. Commonwealth drought assistance is funded under the Rural Adjustment Scheme. The Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority administers this scheme. State drought subsidies are administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Non-natural disasters are not eligible for NDRA funding. Should expenditure following an exceptional technological disaster (ie chemical, toxic gas/smoke cloud, aircraft impact, essential service or infrastructure failure etc) be beyond the financial capacity of the responsible Authority, an approach would need to be made to the Queensland Government for "Special" funding.

Small natural disasters are ineligible for Commonwealth NDRA funding. The Commonwealth defines a small disaster as one where State expenditure (on all assistance measures) does not exceed $240,000. In these instances, the Minister for Emergency Services may activate State funding for the NDRA relief measures "Disaster Relief Assistance Scheme" and "Counter Disaster Operations".

Natural Disaster Relief Measures

NDRA relief measures may be invoked by the Queensland Government immediately an eligible disaster event has occurred and a need for assistance established. The following is a summary of NDRA relief measures that may be activated to assist individuals and communities affected by disaster events.

Counter Disaster Operations (to alleviate personal hardship)

Disaster Relief Assistance Scheme (to alleviate personal hardship)

Associations Relief Assistance Scheme

Restoration of Public Assets

Concessional Loans to Primary Producers

Freight Subsidies to Primary Producers

Concessional Loans to Small Businesses

Activation of Relief Measures

The Minister for Emergency Services (supported by Emergency Management Queensland) is responsible for activating and coordinating the delivery of NDRA assistance measures.

Following a severe natural disaster event and an initial evaluation of damage, loss and personal hardship, the Minister for Emergency Services (on behalf of the Queensland Government) will immediately activate those NDRA relief/assistance measures that are appropriate.

The activation of relief measures is dependent on a demonstrated need for a particular category of assistance and also whether:
- The damage was caused by an eligible natural disaster event; and
- State expendure on eligible NDRA assistance measures will exceed a nominated threshold (for 2005/2006 this is $240,000) (Where the Commonwealth/State funding threshold will not be reached, the Minister may consider the activation of State funded assistance for community response or personal hardship needs).

Coordination of NDRA

The Minister for Emergency Services is responsible for the coordination and activation of NDRA relief measures through State Administering Agencies.

Future Directions

A key principle of NDRA is that assistance should not supplant or operate as a disincentive for self help or appropriate strategies for disaster mitigation.

In July 1996, a Commonwealth review of NDRA concluded that

"Local governments and public undertakings should be required to demonstrate their flood mitigation plans and practices as a prerequisite for NDRA assistance".

The review suggested that where assets were repeatedly damaged, betterment of the asset in conjunction with NDRA restoration may be one appropriate strategy.

Other measures/strategies indicated were:

More Information

Where any relief measure is inadequate or inappropriate, having regard to the circumstances of a particular disaster, additional relief measures will be considered.

Further disaster specific details and application documentation may be obtained from the Authority responsible for administering each specific scheme.