Governing the City State - Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate ...

that they are able to maintain effective policy control, but should outsource buildingmaintenance, either to the ACT Property Group or some external organisation. 222The Review endorses these findings, but counsels against change in the role and structure ofthe Cultural Facilities Corporation (in relation to the Canberra Theatre and other venues itmanages). Clarification of its role and responsibilities in curating and maintaining heritagebuildings should be finalised.There is no reason why other government owned assets could not be managed by ACTProperty Group (except for a limited number of specialist buildings including The CanberraHospital complex and public housing). The Review recommends further integration ofproperty management for facilities including Community Hubs and schools be considered inthe future. The Review considers it preferable to pursue a staged approach to these changesto avoid unnecessary disruption.That process should also address the management and maintenance of school libraries.Currently, ACT Property Group is responsible for all government libraries that are not part ofanother organisation (i.e. schools). This creates inconsistency in how libraries are managedand maintained. The ACT Library Service is responsible for identifying necessary works andmaintenance for all libraries. Depending on who is responsible for the building, there are twoentirely different processes required, either through the Department of Education andTraining or the Department of Land and Property Services.Managing Expectations – Fix My StreetA key ongoing issue for TAMS in delivering its services to the community is themanagement of expectations about what is possible, reasonable and achievable within currentfunding levels. In this context, the Review notes public commentary about the timeliness andfrequency of mowing road verges and other areas coincident with heavy and regular rainfallduring the Review.Furthermore, the Review notes that the measured level of public satisfaction with TAMSservices is very high: against the relevant strategic indicator in the 2010-11 Budget, TAMSreported the following satisfaction levels (measured by customer surveys) with deliveryresponsibilities such as library services, Canberra Connect, infrastructure services (includingroads, community paths, traffic lights, street signs), waste collection, ACTION, parks andreserves, sports grounds, and aquatic centres. 223TAMS might be well served by adopting the practices of local government entities elsewherein providing transparent reporting of where rates and other revenue are expended. Thiswould require collaboration with the Finance Directorate, but would assist in advancingpublic discussion from criticism of performance without proper context, to a more informeddiscussion about appropriate levels of service delivery within the available level of funding.222 Loxton, P. & Loxton, T. (2010b)223 ACT Government (2010g) 2010-11 Budget Paper No. 4. Canberra, p.65.Administrative Arrangements Changes: 171