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Feedback wanted on the draft Open Space and Pathways Asset Management Plan to outline the resources to keep community welfare, submit by 27 August 2024

Bass Coast Shire Council seeks feedback on the draft Open Space and Pathways Asset Management Plan, which outlines service levels for 18,000 assets, addressing growth and budget pressures. Final adoption is in September.

By news@gippsland - 9th August 2024 - Back to News

To ensure council's open space and pathways asset network meets the community's needs, we are reviewing the Open Space and Pathways Asset Management Plan (OSPAMP). This is the last of a series of Asset Management Plans covering different council assets being reviewed over the last six months. These plans are designed to outline the service levels required to maintain all assets cost-effectively and keep our community safe. These plans are reviewed every four years.

Council is reviewing the Open Space and Pathways Asset Management Plan (OSPAMP) to ensure it meets community needs, maintains assets cost-effectively, and addresses safety

Enhanced community infrastructure

The OSPAMP covers more than 18,000 Open Space and Pathways assets including:

• Pathways: Footpaths, tracks & trails, pram crossings, steps, and associated signage
• Playgrounds: Skate parks, exercise equipment, and playing surfaces
• Sporting areas: Active sports fields & courts and passive reserve green space
• Park furniture: Tables, bins, and benches
• Amenities: Beach showers, drink fountains, BBQs, and water taps
• Public artwork and memorials
• Signage: Information, wayfinding, regulatory, and warning

While pathways were once overseen by the Road Asset Management Plan, they are now incorporated into Open Space to ensure the allocation of necessary resources to maintain our high standard of service. Pathways will play a crucial role in Bass Coast Shire's Integrated Transport Strategy engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/its by linking pedestrians and cyclists to our townships and activity centres.

Provide your feedback

Challenges facing the management of council's assets over the 10-year horizon of the plan include a cap on rates below inflation, which makes the cost of materials and labor to repair and renew assets grow, requiring council to allocate a growing portion of the budget to these activities.

Some assets in the Shire are approaching the end of their lifecycle and will need to be replaced, often with additional costs and new design requirements. As the population of Bass Coast Shire grows, assets are being used more frequently, necessitating more frequent repairs or renewals and placing greater pressure on the budget. New developments throughout the Shire increase the overall number of assets council manages, requiring further burdening the budget for repairs and renewals.

The draft Open Space and Pathways Asset Management Plan recognises these challenges and provides four options for consideration by Community and Council. Council invites the community to provide feedback on the proposed service levels and management of the Open Space and Pathways asset network. All feedback will be considered in the final draft, to be presented for adoption at the September council meeting. Please visit the Open Space & Pathways Asset Management Plan website.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com