FOCUS on Natural Assets

This project seeks to investigate decision support tools that councils might use to incorporate natural assets under council’s care and control into corporate systems for strategic asset planning and management.

FOCUS on Natural Assets is exploring the lessons learnt by lead councils who have already applied an “asset management” approach to natural assets such as:

• Natural "drainage" assets: such as urban creeks or streams and wetlands;
• Road reserve assets: such as street trees, roadside environmental reserves and raingardens;
• Land based assets: such as bushland or nature reserves.

Decision support tools that are appropriate for 'natural' assets and relevant to the needs of strategic asset planners and asset managers include:

• Asset registration, classification and mapping
• Condition assessment and inspection methods
• Defining service levels objectives and levels
• Methods to consider the ‘intangible’ value of ‘soft’ assets
• Methods to ‘prioritise’ investment in natural asset maintenance and rehabilitation

HCCREMS is working with local government asset engineers, NRM staff, and recreation and open space planners and managers to develop and deliver a series of regional project activities during 2010-2011.

FOCUS on Natural Assets is part of the “FOCUS on Sustainability” program. 

                 

             This project is assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.