WALGA is committed to encouraging sound Asset Management practices and the support of better investment decision making across Western Australia. In 2011-12, Local Governments spent $720 million on a road network valued at $21.91 billion which is fundamental to the lives and economy of every person living or travelling in this State.

Through the promotion of Asset Management practices, training, common operational rules and improved sharing of knowledge and expertise between Local Governments and State Agencies, WALGA hopes to not only assist Local Governments meet their obligations, but also to improve the services delivered to every Western Australian citizen.

As the custodians of Local Government assets, Councillors, management and staff have an obligation to meet the required level of service in the most cost effective manner for present and future residents. The application of sound corporate planning and asset management practices provides the best means to meet this obligation, while also meeting regulatory and audit requirements.

Asset Management in Local Government

Local Governments are under increasing pressure to perform practical Asset Management while meeting statutory reporting requirements. Ensuring the judicious and disciplined application of the limited funding available for the management of assets requires a methodical approach that is supported by a sustainable long-term strategy.

In October 2010, the Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries introduced the Integrated Planning Framework . This framework provides a methodical approach for the development of strategic plans and processes to ensure a Local Government meets the needs of the community in an accountable and sustainable manner.

Asset Management planning is an integral part of the Integrated Planning Framework. The future maintenance of assets and their associated costs will have a significant impact on the Local Governments overall budget. The judicious application of funding to asset management will help ensure that Local Governments meet the needs of the community. The disciplined use of Asset Management tools will help Local Governments keep asset data up to date and apply funding in the most cost effective manner possible. These tools also help Local Governments meet their regulatory and audit requirements through the application of a scientific approach used throughout the state.
 

Integrated Planning Framework

The Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries has developed a Strategic Integrated Planning Framework which provides a sound approach to help Local Governments with their corporate planning. This framework starts with the development of a Strategic Community Plan. Engagement of the community helps define both what levels of service the community wants and what they are willing to pay for. Both of these elements are extremely important when defining Asset Management and the resulting costs.

The Strategic Integrated Planning Framework requires the development of Asset Management Plans to link with the corporate planning and budgeting process. These Asset Management Plans require reliable and up-to-date asset data to help the Local Government with reliable budget forecasting.

Resources

Consultancy Services

WALGA’s Preferred Supply Panel for Professional Consultancy Services provides a range of strategic and technical services to support Local Government activities. The services include Asset Management Services, Geospatial Data Mapping and Reporting and Valuation Services.

Benefits

Asset Management is an integral component of the Strategic Integrated Planning Framework. Without Asset Management, Corporate Plans and Budgets cannot reliably allocate funding for asset maintenance and renewal with any level of confidence.

Asset Management helps Local Governments manage the stewardship of assets they are entrusted with.

The benefits of correctly performed Asset Management include:
  • Improved cost efficiency and reduced costs.
  • Improved customer satisfaction by matching levels of service with what customers want and are willing to pay for.
  • More transparency in decision making (stronger governance and accountability), including meeting regulatory and audit requirements.
  • Judicious economical investment.
  • Better sustainability through the development of long-term plans with equitable funding services across generations.
  • Management of corporate knowledge and decisions.
“The objective of Asset Management is to meet the required level of service in the most cost effective manner, through the management of assets for present and future customers”  (ref: IIMM 2011).

Road Condition Assessments

The Road Visual Condition Assessment Manual is a tool designed to assist Local Governments collect and interpret data concerning road network condition.  This enables an assessment of the road network performance at a point in time and assessment of the effectiveness on the management strategies over time.  The approach can be used to guide the identification of the highest priorities for maintenance and capital works.