The decision for Hervey Bay City Council to split its Roads Infrastructure department into two separate and accountable units will lead to greater accountability and cost effectiveness according to Executive Manager Corporate Affairs, Dan McKinlay.
“Hervey Bay City Council is one of the first Councils in Queensland to separate its roading operations from asset management and a number of other Councils are watching the Hervey Bay model with interest,” he said. “We needed to look at ways of improving our level of service as well as cost cutting for Council.”
This particular style of operation, known as split/payer, aims to increase the accountability and efficiency of the Road Operations Unit, which is now treated like a private contractor.
“The Asset Management Unit is primarily responsible for providing Council with sufficient information to determine short and long term strategies and funding requirements for roads and drainage,” said Dan McKinlay. “This Unit also commissions all maintenance and capital works to meet Council’s Asset Management Plan. The Operations Unit provides maintenance and minor capital works at the request of the Asset Management Unit.
“It focuses on management and control of labour, plant and materials to ensure cost effective physical works increase the spending power of Council’s limited funding base. The Asset Management Unit sets the standard in terms of quality and costings and the Roads Operations Unit does the work.”
For further information contact Dan McKinlay, telephone (07) 4197 4366.
