Northern Grampians Shire Council's latest estimate is that overall, the known impact on the Northern Grampians Shire economy from the direct and indirect losses directly attributed to all of the flood and storm events in 2011, is calculated at $22.17 million.

Municipal Recovery Manager for the shire, Greg Little, said the direct loss estimates from the floods for local businesses were considered to be around $260,000 and a further $11 million for primary producers.

"Economic modeling tool 'Remplan' calculates that the economic impact to our shire of this is a total cost of $16.4 million. This is further compounded by the December event in which 19 businesses with losses of at least $161,500 has been identified and primary producer losses of $3.71 million - a 'Remplan' total cost calculation of $5,673,000," Mr Little said.

Mr Little said the impact on farmers across the region by the December floods, was the reason council had campaigned so strongly at both state and federal level for Category C funding.

"Council has been incredibly strong at advocating for Category C funding under NDRRA for December," he said.

"Direct representation, written requests, information provision and site tours have occurred with State and Federal parliamentarians.

"Access to Category C would provide for grants to flood affected business, primary producers and community organisations. The evidence of how vital these grants are to support the effected business and primary producers is that from the September 2010 and January 2011 grants program, 271 applications were approved for funding to a total of $2.7 million, which has the effect under 'Remplan' of putting a value of $3.95 million back into the Northern Grampians Shire economy, including about 19 jobs.

"Council's Economic Development Officers and Flood Recovery officers continue to undertake visits with businesses which have been flood affected, including meeting with Stawell Biz as a peak representative body of business impacts from December to speak on the economic recovery process and how business can be involved."

Mr Little said as well as impacting on built infrastrcuture, the floods also had a significant impact on the security and welfare of livestock on farms.

He reported that 390 kilometres of fencing was damaged during the storm and flood to bring the total flood damaged agricultural fencing to 1670km that council is aware of.

"Approximately 850km of fencing has been restored through the 'Flood-mate' prisoner team, other prison teams, Project Platypus, the Catchment Management Authorities and Conservation Volunteers," he said.

"The December flood meant that the planned work schedule was delayed while all agencies pulled resources to the Joel Joel area to ensure critical boundary fences were secured to ensure livestock containment."

Mr Little said because of the extensive impact on the agricultural sector across the entire municipality, the flood recovery program has had a strong focus on providing support in this area.

"While government grants are not being offered as yet, this doesn't prevent the Flood Recovery team from being involved with the agricultural sector flood recovery," Mr Little said.

"The flood recovery team has been active in facilitating and partnering with Red Cross to undertake an outreach visit to each farm and residence in the Joel Joel, Crowlands, Greens Creek and Landsborough West area, with the intention that information is given on road and asset repairs, personal and financial support, emerging livestock and agriculture issues, and referrals to services made where requested."