Gympie Regional Council’s Rapid Disaster Recovery with RACAS®

The Challenge: Immediate Assessment for Funding & Recovery

In December, just before Christmas, Gympie Regional Council faced a major challenge: heavy rainfall had severely impacted its 2,300km road network. With an urgent need to assess road conditions and secure Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), time was of the essence.

Traditional road inspections would have taken weeks, delaying funding applications and road repairs. Council needed a solution that was fast, precise, and efficient to ensure roads were restored as quickly as possible for the community.

The Solution: RACAS® & SHEPHERD’s Rapid Response

SHEPHERD deployed its cutting-edge RACAS® technology to rapidly assess the road network, capturing critical data that would inform Council’s recovery strategy.

Key Actions Taken:

• Speedy Deployment: RACAS® teams were on-site within days, working through the holiday season to ensure rapid data collection.
• Extensive Coverage: The survey began with the 1,000km unsealed road network on December 20, completed by January 9, and was followed by a full assessment of the 2,300km sealed road network, completed by January 26.
• Data-Driven Insights: RACAS® Inspectors captured 3,000 Points of Interest (POIs) in just six days. This dataset was handed over to SHEPHERD’s Civil and Disaster team for immediate categorization.
• Smart Categorization: The team reviewed all 3,000 POIs in one day, identifying:
  • 700 Emergent Work locations requiring immediate intervention.
  • 2,000 sites as potential Immediate Reconstruction Works (IRW) or Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets (REPA).

The Results: Faster Recovery, Smarter Funding Applications

With RACAS®, Gympie Regional Council received: ✅ Comprehensive evidence of rain-impacted roads for funding applications.
✅ Pre and post-event imagery to strengthen funding claims.
✅ GPS-located damage reports, allowing for precise interventions.
✅ Faster hazard mitigation, ensuring public safety.
✅ Priority in funding applications, getting ahead in the queue.

Community Benefits: Safer Roads, Faster Recovery

The impact of this rapid response extended beyond assessments:

• Faster restoration of critical road infrastructure for residents.
• Improved safety for motorists, with quicker hazard identification.
• More efficient use of Council resources, saving time and money.
• Stronger funding applications, accelerating disaster recovery funding approvals.

Why RACAS®? The Technology That Makes a Difference

RACAS® technology provides unmatched speed, accuracy, and efficiency in road condition assessments:

• AI-supported inspections ensure precise identification of damage.
• Real-time data visibility within two weeks.
• Priority funding submissions within the first month.
• Automated POI categorization, reducing manual workload.
• Seamless GIS integration, allowing for instant mapping and reporting.

Testimonial: What Gympie Regional Council Had to Say

“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.”

Partner with SHEPHERD for Faster, Smarter Disaster Recovery

When disaster strikes, RACAS® delivers real-time, evidence-based assessments, ensuring councils secure funding and restore roads faster.

• CATEGORIES Civil and Disaster Recovery (DRFA) Road Management Systems (RACAS)
• DATEMarch 2025
• CLIENT Gympie Regional Council