BALLARAT ratepayers can expect to pay up to $100,000 for the restoration of the Eureka Flag.The flag is soon headed for Adelaide, where painstaking restoration work will undertaken by specialists at Artlab Australia.Ballarat mayor Judy Verlin said $100,000 had been set aside for the project in council's budget."That was something this council said very clearly: we wanted to reinstate Ballarat's treasures and its icons," Cr Verlin said. "We have budget in place, (and) the funding for the conservation works fits within that budget." The works will also be part funded by the National Museum of Australia.But the total cost will not be known until the repair and restoration works, which are expected to take six months, are completed. She said the council would take guidance from the National Museum on the works."They are the experts in the field and we are delighted to have such a highly qualified organisation partnering with us."The flag will be transported by road courier accompanied by a conservator.But for security reasons, the council will not reveal exactly when that will take place. Art Gallery of Ballarat director Gordon Morrison said the planned restoration was not a reflection on the quality of the previous works by local conservator Val d'Angri, in 1973. "But it was according to the standard of 40 years ago, there are better materials available now."In the flag's absence, the gallery was considering a range of replacement options, including replica flags or a multimedia depiction of the ensign. Mr Morrison said there were issues with the present casing of the flag and whether it was airtight.A new climate controlled display case was likely to be installed on the flag's return.