Cassowary Coast Council Advocates Insurance and Sustainability at LGAQ Conference
Cassowary Coast Regional Council representatives attended the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference in October, focusing on advocacy for insurance and asset management in our changing coastal environment. This conference serves as a vital platform for Queensland Councils to address pressing issues and share best practice.
This year, Council submitted motions aimed at strengthening our community’s resilience:
- Cyclone Reinsurance Pool and Insurance Affordability for Households and Small Businesses: Addressing the rising costs of insurance.
- Implementation of the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan: Ensuring the protection and sustainability of our local environment.
- Queensland Government Funding for the Reef 2050 Plan: Securing necessary resources for local governments to effectively implement this plan.
Mayor Teresa Millwood participated in a panel discussion and presentation on insurance and asset management, emphasising the significant challenges households, businesses and Council face in our region.
“Our residents consider many factors when seeking to insure their homes and businesses. With cyclone and flooding risks, some businesses are seeing premium increases of up to 200%. Many are forced to underinsure just to maintain some level of coverage and this can have negative impacts when a claim has to be made.”
Mayor Millwood also discussed the federal government's Northern Australia $10 billion reinsurance pool, stressing the need for broader criteria.
“A crucial priority for improving insurance affordability in our 2024 Advocacy Plan is to expand the claims period from 48 hours to seven days post a declared cyclone event.”
Through our 2024-2025 Advocacy Plan, Council is committed to enhancing the sustainability and liveability of our region. Our priorities include implementing the Reef 2050 Plan, advancing coastal hazard adaptation strategies, and investing in essential water and sewerage infrastructure. Council is also focused on affordable housing, improving disaster management, and developing strategic transport projects.
By actively participating in the LGAQ conference, Cassowary Coast Regional Council reaffirms its leadership and commitment to advocating for our coastal communities. Together, we can ensure that we are working towards a more resilient future for our community.
For more details on our 2024-2025 Advocacy Plan, please visit www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/advocacy-plan