Hundreds of sites impacted by the September floods have been assessed by the North East Catchment Management Authority for recovery funding eligibility.
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Damages are expected to total in the millions with more than half of affected sites in the Ovens Valley catchment.
Natural Resource Management delivery acting executive manager Tony Long said requests from landholders for inspections were still being received.
“We’ve had 260 assessed in the first round, with another 30 to 50 to be assessed,” he said.
“We’re hopeful of getting indications in the next few weeks about which sites appear to be under the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Funding.
“The biggest damages are bank erosion that has then caused infrastructure damage, and the Ovens River in particular has got a lot of the damage.
“The guidelines link damages to an essential public asset or infrastructure – such as a road, a bridge, or a waterway crossing.”
A number of highly impacted waterway sites are unlikely to be eligible under these guidelines.
Mr Long said NECMA would work to identify alternative funding sources.
“We’ll be working with the community on some projects that we might have to just stop for a year or so to allow this work to be done,” he said.
“Then it’s a matter of talking to the state about other funding that might be available.
“Hopefully by mid-February we can start to get some indication of what’s possible and commence works in March.”
The NECMA has also launched an investigation into the cause of a levee breach and erosion on the Ovens River at Markwood during the flood event.
Program implementation manager Dean Jones said a geomorphic investigation was being planned to survey impacts downstream and flow path changes in the river.
“The NECMA are keen to work with local landholders to understand the full issues and options relating to the site,” he said.
“This will ensure both short and long-term options for remedial works are considered.”
Mr Long said it was clear “something happened that needed more than a quick fix”.
“There was water where there had been in floods in the past, but it stayed there for longer this time,” he said.
“We’re looking at what we need to do long term to make sure there’s stability in that system.”
Landholders who believe they are eligible for site assessments should contact NECMA on 1300 216 513.
