Evidence of pre-disaster condition - REPA

About evidence of pre-disaster condition

When claiming Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets (REPA) damage, council applications must demonstrate the location, nature and pre-disaster condition of the essential public asset through one or more of the evidence types below.

Acceptable pre-disaster evidence must meet the requirement of being the latest available evidence within the specified age limits at the time of the eligible disaster event.

Acceptable pre-disaster evidence

Type of evidence Age of evidence Notes

Inspection reports

(prepared by a suitably qualified professional)
As soon as reasonably practicable but no later than 12 months from the eligible disaster Post disaster inspection reports will continue to be the primary evidence utilised to establish both the event related damage and pre-disaster condition. Where the predisaster condition of an asset is unclear, additional supporting pre-disaster evidence should be provided.

Geospatial data

(including satellite images)

Less than 4 years old for local governments

Less than 2 years old for state agencies

Geospatial data is useful in determining the overall pre-disaster configuration of large assets i.e. jetties and seawalls. However, it is generally not useful in determining the condition of small scale features i.e. pavement condition.

Visual data

(including photographs or video footage)

Less than 4 years old for local governments

Less than 2 years old for state agencies

Councils are encouraged to develop databases of asset photographs and/or videos to provide a solid record of pre-event asset condition.
Maintenance records

Less than 4 years old for local governments

Less than 2 years old for state agencies

Maintenance records support REPA submissions when they complement asset registers and provide the following information:

  • record of capital works/maintenance activities recorded by GPS coordinates and road chainage
  • width of pavement works (where relevant)
  • dates of works and activities.
Asset registers

Less than 4 years old for local governments

Less than 2 years old for state agencies

Asset registers can provide the required pre-disaster condition evidence to support REPA submissions, when there is a total asset loss resulting from an eligible disaster event. In a total asset loss situation, it can be difficult to determine pre-disaster condition using other means. Applicants are therefore encouraged to develop and maintain accurate information of road assets supported by maintenance records.

For the purposes of the DRFA, asset registers should include the following:

  • geospatial digital road data (centrelines)
  • road functional classification
  • road surface type
  • typical cross section widths.

For general information about asset management systems refer to the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Road Asset and Bridge Management Kit (External link).

Note: Where there are (unintended) inconsistencies between this guidance, the Australian Government DRFA and the QDRR Guidelines, the DRFA will prevail.

Last updated: November 2018.