Have your say on draft plan for managing Council’s assets

City of Whittlesea residents are invited to provide feedback on a draft plan outlining how Council will prioritise, maintain and manage our assets, such as roads, footpaths and playgrounds, over the next 10 years.

Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said that with over $3.2 billion worth of infrastructure assets across the municipality, it was important to ensure our assets are strategically managed to meet our community’s current and future needs and enable us to deliver on the actions in our Community Plan.

“Every single member of our community uses Council assets every day, many without even realising it,” Ms. Wilson said.

“From the footpaths and roads you use to get around, to the parks, playgrounds and community centres that help keep our community connected — our assets play a vital role in delivering on our Community Plan priorities and our long-term vision of making the City of Whittlesea a place for all.”

“The Draft Asset Plan outlines how we will monitor and maintain our huge portfolio of assets in the most cost-effective way to ensure that work is planned in our annual budget to repair, renew, upgrade or build assets so that we can continue to deliver important services and spaces for our growing community.”

Council currently manages approximately 475,000 assets including:

• 1275km of sealed road and 85.4km of unsealed road
• 1824km of footpaths trails
• 1812ha of open space, including 259 playgrounds, 74 sporting ovals and over 100,000 trees
• 197 buildings
• 1897km of drainage pipes and 73,170 drainage pits
• 43 bridges
• 13,257 light poles

Ms. Wilson encouraged residents to view the draft plan and provide their feedback.

“Our assets enable us to provide valuable services to our community and make a real difference in the lives of our residents. Your input will build upon the feedback we have already received about the actions in our Community Plan and help to ensure our assets are well-managed and maintained now and into the future for the benefit of all.”

To provide your feedback on the Draft Asset Plan, visit engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/assetplan. Consultation will be open until 30 May 2022.

The development of an Asset Plan is a requirement under the Local Government Act 2020.