In 1998 the newly formed City of Onkaparinga set out to develop a new approach to asset management. The aim was to deliver better and more cost efficient use of the City’s assets bringing additional benefits to residents and other stakeholders.
A project manager was appointed to review the City’s assets and how they were utilised. This was to be done not just in terms of maintenance and expenditure requirements, but how those assets fitted into other Council objectives, such as economic development.
As a result, assets such as roads are now managed in terms of how they can facilitate transport for tourism or industry needs. Council buildings have been reviewed to ascertain if they were being used in the best possible way and for the most appropriate groups. Consideration was also given to selling unnecessary buildings to provide funds for maintaining others.
Likewise, development of a more efficient system of disposing of effluent from septic tank systems was tied to the provision of wastewater for Council parks and local viticulturists.
Formalising the idea for a more integrated approach to asset management meant developing a framework for the strategic management of all property and infrastructure assets. This was achieved through a series of management changes.
These included adjusting the organisational structure to accommodate property and infrastructure assets in the same branch of Council; aligning asset planning with City wide strategic planning; integrating economic development, social and environmental objectives in the asset planning process; and establishing an asset management sub committee of Council.
The new approach means assets are no longer viewed as just objects to be tended and cared for but as catalysts to generate greater community wealth. Senior Asset Planner Property, Nathan Warburton, said there is now a free flow of ideas between staff and elected members on how to manage assets.
“Increased knowledge and a different way of looking at things has sped up the process where change is beneficial,” he said. “The new approach leads to assets having an impact on employment opportunities and better environmental and social outcomes.”
For further information contact Nathan Warburton, telephone (08) 8384 0660
