The river is expected to peak at the weekend at 92.5 metres on the Australian Height Datum gauge, one metre lower than the earlier forecast.

The State Emergency Service was preparing for the Loddon River to peak at minor flood levels in Kerang overnight.

SES incident controller Stan Hendy said he didn’t expect any homes to be affected in the area.

Other communities in the Loddon Shire and Charlton affected by flooding rivers are continuing to count the cost of the clean-up.

Buloke Shire deputy mayor David Pollard said the floods had caused major damage to roads in the shire.

“It’s fairly vital we get government funding to try and keep the rest of the maintenance up to scratch,’’ he said.

Cr Pollard, also chairman of the Rex Theatre committee, said fans were being used to try to dry out boards in the historic theatre and adjoining shops.

Loddon Shire Council chief executive John McLinden said the southern part of the shire had been hit hard, with roads damaged.

“We are still assessing, so we haven’t got a dollar figure,’’ he said.

“We will prioritise the work to do the most dangerous first, but it could take until Christmas before it’s fixed.’’

Mr McLinden said the council was confident of receiving state government natural disaster funding to help with repairs.

“Whether we get funding or not, we have to proceed,’’ he said.

A Flood Recovery Ministerial Taskforce was set up to ensure the state government provided appropriate programs and support to help communities recover, including emergency relief grants and means-tested personal hardship grants.

Shadow Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell said the floods had caused destruction across regional Victoria, damaging bridges, roads, fences and other public assets, with costs likely to run into the tens of millions of dollars.

“Many of the flood-affected councils have large geographic areas and small populations and do not have the capacity to raise the funds to repair damaged infrastructure without immediate and significant government support,’’ she said.

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