In December 2024, heavy rainfall severely impacted Gympie Regional Council’s 2,300 kilometre road network just before the Christmas shutdown. With urgent funding and recovery needs, Council turned to SHEPHERD to deploy RACAS® for immediate road condition assessment and support fast, evidence-based DRFA submissions.
The Challenge
Council faced a narrow window to assess damage and apply for disaster recovery funding. Traditional inspections would have taken weeks, delaying submissions and repair works. Council needed a rapid, reliable solution to capture road condition data and prioritise funding applications.
The Solution
SHEPHERD deployed RACAS® teams within days of the event and worked through the holiday period to deliver full network coverage:
- Survey of 1,000 kilometres of unsealed roads completed between December 20 and January 9
- Full assessment of the 2,300 kilometre sealed road network completed by January 26
- Over 3,000 Points of Interest (POIs) captured in six days
- Smart categorisation completed in one day, identifying:
- 700 Emergent Work locations requiring immediate response
- 2,000 sites flagged as potential IRW or REPA under DRFA
Council received comprehensive data, including GPS-located damage reports and pre- and post-event imagery to support funding applications and hazard mitigation.
What We Did Differently and Why It Mattered
SHEPHERD’s ability to mobilise quickly and operate during holiday shutdowns gave Gympie Regional Council a critical head start. RACAS® delivered precise, audit-ready data within two weeks, enabling funding submissions within the first month.
This rapid turnaround ensured:
- Faster road restoration for residents
- Stronger, more defensible DRFA applications
- Reduced manual workload for Council teams
- Better use of internal resources and funding opportunities
“SHEPHERD’s RACAS® technology provided Gympie Regional Council with an efficient and accurate assessment of our 2,300km road network following a recent rain event. Within days, their team captured 3,000 Points of Interest, allowing us to quickly identify Emergent Works and prioritise funding applications. Their rapid deployment and expertise have been invaluable in helping us get ahead in the recovery process.” – Gympie Regional Council
Delivered in Partnership
Gympie Regional Council’s trust in SHEPHERD’s rapid deployment and deep recovery experience enabled a successful, accelerated recovery process. RACAS® continues to prove its value in delivering faster, smarter disaster recovery outcomes across Queensland.
