Council's Asset Management Policy and Domestic Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP) were both adopted at the August Council Meeting, giving Council strategic direction to ensure its services and assets meet the changing needs of the community and evolving environmental and financial conditions.
The Asset Management Policy, a strategic document outlining how Council intends to approach asset management within the organisation, was adopted following six weeks of public exhibition to seek community feedback.
The policy applies to all assets Council looks after, including fixed physical assets such as road, pathway, recreation and building infrastructure; mobile/non-fixed physical assets, such as heavy plant, fleet and furniture; as well as non-physical assets, such as software and licenses.
"Managing the different assets in our diverse shire can be challenging, particularly as the unpredictability of pandemic influences on market conditions impacts costs," said Chief Executive Officer, Anne Howard, "so, this document is vitally important to enable us to continue to deliver the more than 100 services we offer to our community."
"Together with the Asset Management Strategy, which was adopted at the May Council meeting, the Asset Management Policy helps Council towards continuous improvement of sound asset management practises," said Ms Howard. "It provides clear definitions of roles and responsibilities and ensures we provide a sustainable portfolio of assets for the long term in order to provide services to the community."
The DWMP, a Council plan acting as the framework for how Council and the community manages its onsite domestic wastewater management systems, including septic tank systems, treatment plants, worm farm systems and sand filter systems, was open for public exhibition from 29 April to 24 June 2022.
No objections to the review or submissions for changes to the DWMP were received during the public exhibition period and it will be reviewed again in 2026, as required under State Environment Protection Policy Waters of Victoria (SEPP), which is currently under review.
"A review of the DWMP is important in order to continue to protect both public health and the environment from the impacts of domestic wastewater," said Ms Howard. "Having a DWMP provides Council with confidence when assessing Land Capability Reports as part of planning and development applications and aligns with our environment and sustainability aims in the 2021-25 Council Plan."
Council thanks everyone who gave up their time to view the documents as part of the pubic exhibition process. Click here to view the adopted Asset Management Policy and DWMP.
