Gannawarra Shire Council completed its flood recovery program a full year ahead of the extended DRFA deadline, restoring rural roads faster and avoiding funding delays.
The Challenge
Following major flooding in October 2022, Gannawarra faced the urgent task of restoring roads, bridges and culverts across its agricultural region. Many councils were experiencing delays in DRFA submission approvals, pushing completion timelines out to mid-2026. Gannawarra needed a partner who could accelerate the process, manage compliance and keep works moving.
The Solution
SHEPHERD provided full project management for DRFA Reconstruction Works. Our team reviewed and revised DRFA submission packages with updated contractor rates, managed onsite QA and photo documentation, and coordinated completion reporting and acquittals. We also deployed a custom Fulcrum App to track DRFA work locations and used RACAS® to document road condition, reducing duplication and supporting future funding.
What We Did Differently and Why It Mattered
SHEPHERD combined practical project delivery with smart digital tools. Rather than rely on slow or manual processes, we enabled Council to track, document and report work in real time. This allowed Gannawarra to complete recovery by EOFY 2025, ahead of other councils, and ensure DRFA compliance with clear, audit-ready records.
A total of $6,166,552.33 was spent on the program, with $6,144,718.10 reimbursed to Council. This equates to a 99.65% success rate in DRFA recovery.
“The success of our DRFA recovery work owes much to SHEPHERD’s adaptability and expertise. Their ability to scale resources up or down as needed provided critical support to Council during peak workloads, easing pressure on internal teams. Combined with their strong flood recovery knowledge and clear communication with assessors, this approach improved the process, reduced Council’s out of pocket expenses and helped deliver highly effective outcomes.” – Gannawarra Shire Council
Delivered in Partnership
Thanks to Emergency Recovery Victoria and Gannawarra’s internal teams for their close collaboration. This recovery effort shows what is possible when trusted delivery meets fit-for-purpose technology.
