The Ballarat region has been left reeling from a series of downpours over the past month, with arterial road networks suffering.

While local councils are included in the federal and state funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangement program, VicRoads regional director Ewen Nevett said arterial stretches are also insured.

“The arterial road network is covered by insurance for situations like we have experienced with the recent floods,” he said.

“The quantitative cost of the floods is yet to be determined as we will be continuing to assess the roads for flood related damage over the coming months."

Mr Nevett said a series of local arterial stretches are currently being monitored, including the Ballarat-Maryborough Road, which has displayed significant wear recently.

“Ballarat-Maryborough Road is one of many roads that are being managed via our normal hazard inspection regime,” he said.

“These hazards are being treated accordingly at this point and will continue to be assessed as it make take weeks or months for flood damage to appear as we move into drier weather. 

“The Western Highway has been identified as our highest priority for immediate treatment. Work commenced today (Monday) on sections of highway to the east and west of Horsham and will take approximately two weeks to complete. 

“We are currently investigating treatment options for Daylesford-Malmsbury Road as a short term priority.”

VicRoads (Western Highway duplication) project director Michael McCarthy said works continue to prepare the stretch west of Buangor for the next stage of duplication to Ararat.

“A construction contractor is expected to be appointed in the coming months with works to commence in early 2017,” Mr McCarthy said.

The http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/ website listed 41 roads in the Ballarat region as closed – likely through flooding – at the time of print.