Queensland has committed $38 million to strengthen natural disaster resilience, earning praise from insurers and brokers.

The four-year funding package, to be outlined in next month’s state budget, will support projects by local governments, state agencies and non-government organisations.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Queensland is the most disaster-hit state, with $14 billion of damage to public infrastructure from more than 60 events over the past nine years.

“Upfront investment doesn’t just protect regional communities, it saves all Queensland communities in the long run,” she said.

The state has called on the Federal Government to match its funding.

The Insurance Council of Australia says Queensland’s commitment is a positive step, and has called for wider action.

“Substantial investment by all levels of government, working collaboratively on disaster resilience and mitigation programs, would significantly help communities strengthen their ability to withstand natural disasters,” spokesman Campbell Fuller said.

High insurance premiums are a problem in northern Queensland, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission currently holding an inquiry into the issue.

“The only way to keep insurance affordable is to make the state resilient and mitigate the costs of natural disasters when they inevitably occur,” National Insurance Brokers Association CEO Dallas Booth said.

The insurance industry criticised the Federal Government earlier this month when its budget failed to deliver on mitigation spending requirements.

The Productivity Commission has recommended Canberra spend $200 million each year, with the amount matched by state governments.