IPWEA’s 2014 Asset Management Study Tour took delegates to the New Zealand Advanced AM Forum, Auckland Super City and adjacent Councils and Agencies to hear from the internationally recognised asset management experts on their home turf.
The tour began at the 2014 NAMS NZ Advanced Asset Management Forum in Auckland on 20-21 October.
Delegates heard from Auckland Council’s Chief Operating Officer Dean Kimpton and Senior Asset Management Advisor, Raymond Tan about the council’s 30 year asset management plan –
The Auckland Plan.
Whitehorse City Council’s Asset Management Strategy Coordinator David Braby was keen to learn more about the development of the new 30-year Infrastructure Strategy and was glad to find that Auckland wasn’t neglecting the basics in its quest to become the world’s most liveable city.
“I’m really pleased that they haven’t lost sight of the foundations of good asset management,” said Braby. “Each site we visited they talked about the need for good quality information. Without it, you really can’t expect to make good quality decisions.”
Auckland’s levels of service was another area that impressed Braby.
“They pull all that together in their long-term plan and go and consult the community in very creative ways” he said.
IPWEA will be launching its Levels of Service Practice Note imminently. Watch out for more information
here.
The IPWEA delegation followed the forum with visits to a number of local councils and government departments, including Auckland Council, NZ Office of the Auditor General, amongst others.
Moree Plains Shire Council’s Asset Manager Kylie Kerr particularly enjoyed the visit to Matamata-Piako District Council where the culture is to encourage all levels of the council to get involved in a project and feed back their on-the-ground experience and knowledge.
“What I liked there was how well they had buy in from their field staff, people who were operating their sewerage treatment plants, their water treatment plants and how much they got involved,” she said.
According to fellow delegate Troy Anderson, Director Works and Civil at Clarence Valley Council, Matamata-Piako District Council’s culture was “all about the accountability being at the right level in the organization to make the process work”.
All agreed that they would recommend the trip to others, agreeing that the networking with delegates and their hosts alike, was an incredibly valuable part of the trip.
“It was one of the highlights of my professional career,” said Anderson. “You can’t match the learning experience.”
Photos (from top): Matamata-Piako District Council Water Treatment Plan - Murray and Hauraki District Council’s new water treatment plant.