COLLECTION of road condition data in Loddon Shire could be increased to beat future natural disaster funding hurdles.
Operations director Van Orsouw told councillors  that staff were investigating systems that will record road infrastructure condition.
“A fundamental learning from earlier phases was the lack of pre-condition photographic data, and immediate post-flood photos which impacted the ability to substantiate claims,” Mr van Oursow said in his report on progress gaining approval for recovery works after the 2022 and 2023-2024 floods that hit Loddon communities.
“(Lack of) pre-condition photographic data and immediate post-flood photos which impacted the ability to substantiate claims
He said $21,342,894 of approved works package had now been approved.
“As tender packets are released, the required completion date of 30 June 2026 will become clearer, and this may result in Council seeking an extension of time to complete the entire works program,” he said.
Mayor Dan Straub told the meeting that the approval process had been drawn out and highlighted the three-tier requirement for tick-off of federal-state funding as a concern.
Most of the flood recovery work involves gravel resheeting, or adding gravel to unsealed roads. Council has already been reimbursed $4.6 million with another $4.3 million of work funded through insurance claims and other State Government funding.