MILLIONS of dollars in flood funding were rolled out last week but despite being hit twice, the Southern Downs was not cut a piece of the pie.

The council did not apply for a slice of the $13.4 million that was shared among such places as Toowoomba, Townsville, Bundaberg and Rockhampton.

The payments were the first instalment of a $40 million fund to be rolled out over the next three years

Director of engineering Peter See said the council had not been excluded from the funding but instead was taking a "staged approach" to the process.

He said council was focused on flood studies at this stage. "Our priority is on investigations and not mitigation at this point," he said.

Flood recovery manager Eric Kraak said flood repairs were progressing in the region.

Mr Kraak said the council had so far spent $17.2 million on restoration works.

This has been made possible through the allocation of $13.6 million in NDRRA funding, a joint initiative of the state and federal governments and funding approvals to the tune of $41 million.

A further $6 million is yet to be approved.

"Flood funding has been used to affect temporary repairs to roads and parks and gardens, in the initial phase immediately after the flooding," he said.

"Funds have also been spent on damage assessment of the roads network and parks. Some permanent repairs have also been carried out.

"The majority of the money left over will be used for permanent repairs to flood damaged roads and some parks assets."

Local governments which are on the receiving end of the money are given timelines in which they need to have their work completed by.

Mr Kraak said the council was working towards a completion date in the middle of next year.

"The Queensland Reconstruction Authority have indicated that due to the magnitude of the reconstruction task statewide they are likely to approve extensions of time beyond 30 June, 2013," he said.

"However council is working towards trying to deliver by the original deadline

Mr Kraak said unfavourable weather could hinder this goal. "Council and its contractor are trying to complete the work as soon as possible for the benefit of the community," he said.