Okay here's what you do.
I've put in claims to the council twice and both times been successful.
Take photos of the scene. Make sure you take something for scale. I used my shoes. Put the shoe in the hole, next to the hole etc etc.
Take photos of your rims, suspension components etc. Again, make sure to clearly show the damage done.
Take your car to your mechanic, get more photos. Get your mechanic to quote on the repair. Get the quote in writing.
Make sure not to get too fancy and repair anything that isn't required.
Make sure to include a wheel alignment.
If this was on a highway, you will need to contact the road authority. Vicroad in Melbourne, not sure about QLD.
They will make you explain how you think it's their fault. Say things like the damage is too large to be left go unrepaired. If there is evidence of the hole being filled before, or that section of the road being in a bad state, get photos of that too.
In the end with my repairs, one from a council lawn mower spitting a rock into my front bar, and one from a MASSIVE pot hole which smashed my front bar into the ground, I was compensated the exact amount I applied for.
The council paid for the rock damage via cheque.
A Gas company (who was responsible for the pot hole) paid all the suppliers and workshops to repair my car directly.
Don't leave it too long either. Strike whilst the iron is hot.
BASS OUT