Gunnedah Shire Council has seven asset plans open to public feedback.
The Strategic Asset Management Plan and supporting asset management plans were endorsed for public exhibition at last week’s ordinary meeting.
The supporting plans include IT Equipment, Other Assets, Plant and Fleet, Sewerage, Waste and Water.
Assets management plans provide an understanding of council’s infrastructure and predicted lifespan. It helps to ensure the council is prepared for maintenance and renewal of assets.
According to the plans’ background section, they also assist in asset renewal and management remaining cost effective while also meeting the community standard.
The current plans have been active since 2017, with council now needing to update them.
The director corporate services’ report explained the Strategic Asset Management Plan is a “high level” plan to implement the Asset Management Policy and the management of assets. The supporting plans are “lower-level” for different asset classes, including estimated costs for end-of-life expenditure for at least the next 10 years.
Brightly Software Australia was re-engaged by council to develop the current plans on public exhibition.
The consulting company previously developed key asset management plans and a Strategic Asset Management Plan to assist with council’s application for the Special Rate Variation.
Cr McGrath asked for clarification from the relevant director as to whether the council would need all the reports to be looked at when feedback is received or just the relevant report.
Director corporate services Kelly Stidworthy said it would depend on what was required.
“I would expect that if the feedback was specifically in relation to one particular area it would only be necessary for council to reconsider that particular plan,” she said.
If the feedback was more general, they may then have to reconsider all of the plans.
The cost of developing the plans was funded from the Special Rate Variation budget.
Council will endorse the plans if no submissions are received.
Strategic Asset Management Plan
Gunnedah Shire Council is responsible for a range of physical assets with a replacement value of about $946m.
IT Equipment Asset Management Plan
Council owned information technology equipment such as CCTV, wireless, networking, computer, telephony, security and data and peripheral equipment.
‘All Other Assets’ Asset Management Plan
This plan covers various ‘asset classes’ such as artwork, audio equipment, construction and maintenance, cooling equipment, minor plant and equipment, safety equipment, fire services, furniture, grounds and utility equipment, minor plant and equipment, safety equipment, storage, trailer and utility vehicles.
Plant and Fleet Asset Management Plan
Plant and fleet assets such as graders, loaders, dozers, backhoes, water carts, forklifts, trucks, tractors, compaction rollers, compactors,
passenger vehicles and utility vehicles.
Sewerage Asset Management Plan
Council owned sewer assets including buildings, fences, kerbs and stormwater, roads, sewer mains, sewer nodes, sewer plant and equipment, sewer pump stations, solar systems and switchboards.
Waste Asset Management Plan
Council’s waste management assets.
Water Asset Management Plan
Council owned water assets including bores and wells, buildings, switchboards, meters and services, plant and equipment, water pressured pipes, pumps, reservoirs, treatment facility, treatment systems and water values.
