The Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) has issued an urgent call for a national "reset" of the regional aviation model, warning that the current system is failing remote communities, councils, and operators alike.

Speaking at the WQAC Assembly 2026 at Brisbane City Hall, local government leaders, aviation operators, and policy experts warned that soaring costs, dwindling aircraft supply, and unsustainable funding models are creating a "downward spiral" that threatens the prosperity of rural and remote communities.

The Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) has welcomed the strong, bipartisan support of Labor State Opposition Shadow Minister Nikki Boyd, who has formally backed Queensland councils in their fight against the Federal Labor Government’s proposed changes to disaster recovery funding.

Speaking at the 2026 WQAC Assembly at Brisbane City Hall, the Shadow Minister for Local Government, Water, Fire, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Services, and Volunteers said Queensland Labor is a resolute ally to local councils in resisting the planned federal reforms.

The 25 councils of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) have today delivered a resounding, unanimous rejection of the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), voting overwhelmingly in favour of a motion calling for an immediate reversal of the planned reforms.