Asset Plan

Northern Grampians Shire Council is currently developing a ten year Asset Plan, which will detail how council will manage its assets (public buildings, parks, gardens, recreation areas, roads, bridges, footpaths, and storm water drainage) to meet the needs and achieve the aspirations of the community. We would appreciate input from the community to inform this process.

Input to the survey closed at 11.59pm on 28 April 2022 and we are analysing the results to share with you at our final engagement sessions in May.

Community members were invited to drop-in to our Info Expo on Thursday 21 April from 4pm to 6pm at the Council Chambers Pleasant Creek Historic Precinct or on Friday 22 April from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Perry Room, St Arnaud Town Hall. 

The Info Expo was an opportunity to input into the development of the Asset Plan, and also talk with our Council officers and councillors about Council's annual review of the Revenue and Rating Plan, and proposed changes to the General Local Law 2022.

Several questions were received from our community regarding assets in general. To assist those who were unable to attend, our response is also listed below:

Q1. The condition of particular gravel roads is poor

Just like maintenance grading in wet conditions is 10 times more effective than grading in dry conditions, Council aims to grade the roads, just like farms ensure the conditions are right before sowing a crop, to get the best bang for buck with the limited budget we have.

Q2. The Survey doesn't cover my particular pain points and there isn't an area to explain it. 

The survey has not been designed to cover individual circumstances but rather public opinion about the network by large. We have tried to simplify it to a base service level requirements that endeavours to resinate with as many people as possible. There is a further opportunity to meet with council staff in our next stage of engagement to further consider your feedback.

Q3. What is Council's plan with Batyo Cato?

Council remains the Committee of Management for the Batyo Cato site and while the land cannot be returned to the crown at this time, council has determined to provide the minimum level of service at the sight, including fire risk reduction slashing. If the community wish to see an increase level of maintenance undertaken at the sight, then Council will need to agree to such a change. The filling of the lake is not something that is in the control of Council.

Q.4 There is a weed outbreak along roadsides.

Reported weed outbreaks will be inspected by the appropriate officer. Council has a limited capacity to control and manage the spread of weeds via the road reserve and therefore targeted weeds and pest are recognised within its management plan. If a weed becomes a growing concern and is a recognised noxious weed it can be considered under this program.

Come along to our next engagement sessions on the Asset Plan with our Manager Infrastructure! The sessions will run on:

11 May from 11am to 5:30pm in the Perry Room, at the St Arnaud Town Hall. Register your attendance here: https://bit.ly/3OIypRA

12 May from 11am to 5:30pm in the Stawell Entertainment Centre. Register your attendance here: https://bit.ly/3vpP18S

Each session will look at the things that influence Council decision making in regards to assets and how the community survey results may affect the management of assets moving forward, with your involvement we aim to manage assets that are fit for purpose and within budget, striking a better balance.

The sessions are on specific asset classes:

• Public Buildings - session runs from 11am to 12:30pm
• Open Spaces - session runs from 1pm to 2:30pm
• Footpaths - session runs from 2:30pm to 4pm
• Road & Bridges - session runs from 4pm to 5:30pm

We look forward to seeing you there!

Council is providing the community with an opportunity to give final feedback on the Asset Plan for four weeks following the council meeting on 27 June 2022.

The Asset Plan 2022-2032 is now available to download from this link(PDF, 2MB) or a paper copy may be requested from Stawell or St Arnaud customer service. 

Written feedback can be sent by email to ngshire@ngshire.vic.gov.au or PO Box 580, Stawell, VIC 3380.

The submission period will close on Wednesday 27 July 5pm.