The regional NSW city of Dubbo is set to spend over $165 million in the next decade on maintenance to its community assets valued at $3.1 billion.
Dubbo, which is located approximately 400km east from Sydney, has adopted the 2020 Asset Management Strategy in order to retain its place as one of the best local government areas for asset management.
The plan was announced by Dubbo Regional Council to guide management of the region’s assets in key community service areas of roads, water, sewerage, drainage, buildings and open spaces.
NSW Auditor-General benchmarks show DRC is in the 26 per cent of regional councils that are achieving the target for building and infrastructure renewals ratio, and also for the target of asset maintenance.
Council’s Chief Financial Officer, Michael Howlett, said the strategy outlook was for:
- The road portfolio continuing to be serviced in a sustainable manner with minimal backlog over the review period
- The water and sewer portfolio remaining healthy and viable with no backlog
- Buildings progressively developing a backlog over the period
- Recreation and open spaces developing a backlog over the next ten years that will warrant further review when developing the 2021 Asset Management Plan for this group of assets
- Urban drainage with a minor backlog stable over the life of this strategy
“The Asset Management Strategy includes an improvement plan to further enhance Council’s asset management capability into the future including enhancement of the quality of information we captured and used in developing the strategy,” Mr Howlett said.
Mayor of the Dubbo Region, Councillor Ben Shields, said, “The maintenance of our assets is a vital investment in the future of the Dubbo region. Council has a tremendous focus and commitment to building the worth of Dubbo, Wellington and the villages to reflect our place as a leader in NSW.
“In coming years, the number of assets serving and connecting local communities will be greater as Council undertakes the biggest capital works program for the region in many decades and maintains existing assets.”
Funding for asset renewals, maintenance and operation expenses will be included in the 2020-2021 Operational Plan and Budget.
