City’s asset plans cited as best practice

The City of Wagga Wagga’s Asset Management Plan for Recreational Assets has been cited as an example of best practice by a national institute.

The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) has developed Practice Notes for “Parks Management: Levels of Service” for its members, who come from all tiers of local government, broader public works and the private sector.

The examples of best practice are around using a well thought out process (or a science) to determine when recreation assets need to be refurbished or replaced. In regards to playgrounds this means their replacement is not based just on age, but also on amount of use and current condition.

Acting General Manager Robert Knight says the City has also been recognised by IPWEA for being part of the review team and providing input into the Practice Notes.

“This is a great example of how collaboration across the organisation has achieved outstanding recognition given these Practice Notes are utilised by local government and utility companies throughout Australia, New Zealand and internationally,” he said.

“These examples are cited alongside those from the City of Melbourne, which demonstrates that our plans and practices are at a similar high standard as those in Australia’s largest cities.”

IPWEA CEO Robert Fuller commended Wagga Wagga for their involvement in the Practice Note, which will provide valuable advice for many other parks teams.

The examples used by IPWEA are contained within the Asset Management Plan for Recreational Assets that recently went on public exhibition.