Risk adviser and insurance broker Aon is urging its insurer partners to put local tradespeople first in the flood recovery and rebuilding efforts in Townsville.

Read more: ICA releases claims update for Townsville catastrophe

This message echoes that one of Townsville Deputy Mayor Les Walker, who stressed the importance of engaging local tradies in the recovery to ensure the money stays in the community and that the entire community benefits.

There are more than 15,600 technicians and trade workers and 10,900 labourers in Townsville.

“It makes sense to employ local tradespeople so that they can get back on their feet while also helping to rebuild their own community,” Aon said. “Supporting local trade businesses will also directly stimulate the local economy. It’s very clear that local trades are more accessible to respond to and handle call-outs or return visits to sites to deal with additional repairs. The same can be said for replacement of flood-affected motor vehicles.”

Aon said a number of insurers have already committed to include local trades as part of the normal tender processes, and cost and scope verification wherever possible.

Aon also backs the Insurance Council of Australia’s (ICA) call for the federal government to increase flood mitigation funding to at least $200 million a year, and to treat the construction of mitigation infrastructure as nation building projects.

Read more: Flood mitigation is “nation building,” says ICA

A recent ICA research identified the top 20 most affected Australian electorates – 16 are in Queensland and four are in New South Wales.

“We need an environment in which Australian businesses can get ahead,” Aon said. “With support, these businesses, which employ six out of every seven workers, can expand, invest, innovate, pay higher wages, and create new jobs in communities. This is a community with strong endowments in terms of the skills of its people and the resources available throughout the area. The challenge is to

make sure we build on this and create a sustainable future for the community. That’s about big and small business investing and coming together to strengthen Townsville now and into the future.”