Local Government Victoria's Sustaining Local Assets Policy requires that an AMP should justify the contribution of each asset in terms of value for money for the council.
In nearly all cases Councils own assets to provide a service that they are required by legislation to provide, or have determined that their community needs.
Below is a list of different assets types and reasons that could be used to justify the contribution of each asset in terms of value for money for the council. Please feel free to expand or improve on the reasons given below.
Reasons for Artworks Ownership
Art & artworks may:
- Sustain, inspire, build and help create a cultural identity.
- Strengthen the economic growth of local precincts.
- Contribute to cultural sustainability in new precincts by fostering a sense of identity and a sense of ownership.
Reasons for Bridge Ownership
Bridges exist to allow vehicles and/or pedestrians to cross water courses and other barriers to movement. They enable access to areas that would be otherwise inaccessible or only accessible via a longer alternate route.
Reasons for Building Ownership
Councils may own buildings for a number of reasons, including:
- To provide a service to the community
- To store equipment required to provide a service
- To preserve buildings of historical or other interest, e.g. Ziebells Farm House
- To accommodate Council Staff
- Investment Revenue
Reasons for Drainage Ownership
Drainage assets exist to remove stormwater runoff. They also mitigate the risk to council of community and private assets being damaged by localised flooding.
Reasons for Footpath Ownership
Council's footpath network provides pedestrians with a level surface on which to walk. Concrete footpaths in particular provide a firm all-weather surface for users. In the absence of a footpath network pedestrians would be required to walk on roads or roadsides or resort to vehicular transport.
The construction of a footpath can therefore be justified if it, reduces indirect costs to the community such as:
- the number of pedestrian-vehicle injuries by separating pedestrians from vehicular traffic.
- higher health care costs associated with lowered fitness levels because of less walking.
- the number of injuries such as twisted ankles caused by walking on uneven surfaces.
- time & productivity delays on the road network caused by additional traffic.
- damage to footwear & clothing caused by walking on mud or damp ground.
- the cost of re-sowing nature strips damaged by pedestrian traffic.
Reasons for Plant and Equipment Ownership
Plant and equipment is used to:
a) deliver services
b) construct and maintain assets used to deliver services
Reasons for Road Ownership
Council local road networks exist to provide vehicles with a suitable surface on which to travel, allowing goods to be transported to and from local businesses, and for residents to travel to and from their homes. Without the local road network it would be virtually impossible for ratepayers to carry out their day to day activities.