IPWEA has been working with the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) to deliver NAMS.PLUS workshops for all 29 Councils in the state.
Earlier this year, IPWEA helped the councils undertake an asset management and financial planning assessment audit using the NAMS.PLUS.lite maturity assessment tools.
The audit is fully aligned to the soon-to-be released National Assessment Frameworks Portal. It proved that many of the Tasmanian councils are operating with a very good level of asset and financial management. However, the real value of the audit emerged when it revealed gaps in council management and showed how to target improvements. These outcomes were tailored to each council.
The single-day NAMS.PLUS workshops have been conducted over the past few months in the north and south of the state. Sustainable communities workshops were also held for senior staff and elected members.
The LGAT has designated three skilled regional coordinators to help councils that may need additional assistance to complete or update their plans.
The IPWEA will conduct Long-term Financial Planning workshops on 25-28 September in Hobart and Launceston. These will be available for all councils and are fully sponsored by the LGAT.
All of these enhancement programs have been made possible by funding from the Local Government Reform Fund administered by the LGAT. The IPWEA worked closely with the LGAT to get the best value for these workshops and to minimise the costs.
Feedback from the workshops has been very positive, with many participants reporting enhanced skills and understanding.
The IPWEA gives a high priority to building capacity for local government to undertake asset management and financial planning themselves in-house. The program is certainly helping Tasmanian councils achieve this.
More information on the IPWEA’s LTFP Workshops is available at
www.ipwea.org.au/LTFPWorkshop2012