The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has welcomed a new flood management program launched by Toowoomba Regional Council in Queensland.

The initiative includes the release of flood studies recently completed by specialist engineers.

More than $200 million has been spent on repairs to roads and infrastructure across the region since flooding in 2010 and 2011.

“No other local government in Australia has embarked on a region-wide flood management project of this scale and in this short period of time,” Mayor Paul Antonio said.

ICA GM Policy Risk & Disaster Karl Sullivan told insuranceNEWS.com.au the Toowoomba initiative is “top-notch stuff” that may serve as an example to other authorities.

He says ICA now has access to more than 90% of available flood mapping nationwide, and there is a new relationship of co-operation between local councils and the insurance industry.

“The systems are up and running and the process is going smoothly,” he said. “However, it does need to be continually updated. It’s a bit like painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Once you’re finished you have to go back to the beginning and start again.”

In the past consumers have complained of soaring premiums in areas no longer considered at risk of flooding. Mr Sullivan says such examples still crop up, but much less frequently.

“The important thing is that we respond.”

The remaining areas without usable information are primarily in NSW and Queensland.

“Queensland had to come from behind but it has done so much work and is leading the pack now,” Mr Sullivan said. “There are a couple of urban areas in NSW where the data is not at the level or quality that we would require.”