Oral Presentation IPWEA Victoria Public Works Conference 2026

Australian local governments face an increasing frequency and severity of disasters, from floods and storms to bushfires and coastal inundation, each placing immense pressure on already stretched asset management systems. Too often, councils have to shift into reactive mode only after an event has occurred, scrambling to assess road network damage, gather evidence, and substantiate funding claims. This reactive approach not only delays recovery but can also jeopardise access to insurance and disaster recovery funding, prolong network outages, and intensify community disruption.

This presentation examines a proactive model for assessing a council’s disaster-readiness, with a particular focus on the condition, evidence base, and documentation required to support rapid and defensible post-disaster claims. Drawing on asset management principles, funding program requirements, and lessons from recent disaster events across Australia, the paper outlines a structured framework enabling councils to be “claim-ready” before disaster strikes.

Key topics explored include:

• Typical disaster scenarios affecting local transport networks and infrastructure
• The challenges councils face when evidence is incomplete or collected too late
• How pre-event condition assessments, data integrity, and survey preparedness accelerate recovery
• The role of structured documentation, version control, and geospatial evidence in substantiating claims
• Processes and documents applied for obtaining disaster recovery funding -how, by whom and when disaster information is assessed
• Practical steps for embedding disaster-readiness into asset management plans, maintenance programs, and capital works planning

By shifting the focus from post-event reaction to pre-event preparedness, councils can significantly reduce recovery timeframes, protect funding entitlements, and maintain essential community access during and after disasters. This presentation offers a roadmap for councils seeking to improve resilience, enhance governance, and ensure that when the next disaster hits (as it inevitably will), they are positioned to respond swiftly, confidently, and with the evidence needed to secure the best outcomes for their communities.