3000 kb - Mid Western Regional Council - NSW Government

The Plan should identify both current and projected capital works to satisfy future
demands in terms of growth, improved Levels of Service and replacement of existing
assets. Appropriate operation and maintenance activities should also be identified, to suit
the desired level of service delivery. This should include documentation of the rules and
procedures at system and facility level.
The business plan develops objectives and strategies for the management of:
• Operations;
• Maintenance; and
• Capital Works.
Each of these components of the Plan deals with separate issues relating to the Scheme,
but since they are interlinked several combinations of structured and non-structured
solutions could result in providing the same level of service.
Current Government policy is directed towards lifecycle asset management. Solutions in
the past have often been capital intensive so there is potential generally to reduce capital
works costs for councils over the long term. The ‘best practice’ flow chart describes a
methodology for improving asset management planning. This model is not intended to
reflect the structure of the Asset Management Plan but rather provides a guide for
continuous improvement.
Some of the benefits of implementing this type of model are:
• Appropriate asset solutions;
• Optimal balance of capital works and maintenance;
• Maximisation of asset life and utility; and
• Cost effective and sustainable asset management.
This type of asset portfolio warrants significant investment of resources for its
management. Council intends to adopt a total asset management approach for the
scheme’s management to ensure that assets are managed as effectively as possible i.e.
optimisation of the whole of the asset lifecycle rather than a focusing on asset creation
alone.
Anticipating the need for asset replacement is vital given the significant investment of
resources involved and the need to ensure funds are available. Under the Total Asset
Management approach a schedule of expected capital works is estimated into the future.
This is used in the financial plan to ensure the required funds are available when needed.
Page 60 Part B - Strategic Plan Mid-Western Regional Council
Strategic Business Plan for Sewerage