Although the floodwaters in Victoria’s East Gippsland region are slowly receding, the work is taking its toll on the resources of the loss adjusting industry.

Occurring soon after the floods in Newcastle and the NSW Central Coast, the Gippsland floods have stretched the resources of an already busy industry.

Australasian Institute of Chartered Loss Adjusters Administration Officer Tony Libke says the industry has mobilised local loss adjusting resources and drawn on assistance from interstate and oversees.

Lee Cooper, Southern Region Operations Manager for Freemans Australia, expects a wave of new claims over the next few weeks as residents return to their properties.

“Our adjusters and those of other loss adjusting organisations are experiencing an extremely busy period with resources stretched between the Gippsland and Newcastle regions,” he said.

Mr Cooper says having a catastrophe response plan ready for such occasions allows loss adjusters to handle multiple disasters.

Small business owners and farmers are already eligible for grants up to $15,000.