Murray River Council has this week adopted two key strategies that outline changes to asset maintenance and delivery moving forward.
Council's Parks and Open Space Strategy 2024-2034 and Buildings Strategy 2024-2034 have been developed to guide the organisation's ongoing management and investment in both council-owned buildings and open spaces.
These documents also feed into Council's larger 'Sustainable MRC project' which encompasses a number of service and service level reviews by Council aimed at securing long-term financial sustainability.
Both documents were on display for a period of 28 days.
Mayor Frank Crawley said the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy will be a guide to the ongoing management of existing spaces, whilst also offering guidance around any future open space development.
"We understand there was a little bit of confusion about the parks strategy when it was on display as the timing crossed over with conversations around reclassifications of public park spaces."
"But to be clear, the park strategy is about how we maintain and service what we own and acts as a guide for a few changes in that space so that our approach is equitable and sustainable."
The parks and Open Spaces Strategy is supported by a Service Delivery Plan, which offers clear direction on servicing levels and inclusions at various parks and grounds based on an adopted 'hierarchy'.
"The Service Delivery Plan was developed from the ground up, with input from all parks and gardens staff who complete the day-to-day maintenance works," Cr Crawley said.
"Based on previous service levels and findings, staff workshopped different ideas around timing, tasks, and procedures. Things like reductions to mowing schedules in some areas or reduced embellishments in other parks to minimise future costs."
"Through this process our parks and open spaces were also divided into a hierarchy system based on location, assets, and inclusions, with minimum service levels and standards of routine maintenance set accordingly."
"The final result is a plan that now guides the minimum standards at each council-managed location across the council footprint," Cr Crawley said.
The Building Strategy takes a similar approach with regards to maintenance hierarchies, covering facilities such as public halls, offices, libraries, public toilets and sports pavilions.
The hierarchy classifications are defined by the current state of building, frequency of use, community visibility and the visitation rates for each site.
The building strategy also offers a clear rationalisation plan moving forward for various buildings and sites than may offer little value to the community or are at 'end-of-life."
"When we speak of rationalisation, it's important to note though that some recommendations are subject to other management plans or investigation taking place," Cr Crawley said.
"For example, there may be a recommendation to offload an asset in a particular town, but this is often subject to there being an alternative or consolidated option - it's not just about getting rid of things."
"This is where the Building Strategy is really important as it offers comprehensive information on our sites and takes a full-look at what facilities we have servicing each town."
Murray River Council's Parks and Open Space Strategy and Buildings Strategy are available on council's website.
"Whilst there's no single solution to addressing the increasing maintenance requirements of our large asset base, these strategies go a long way to help us to manage our facilities and spaces more sustainably moving forward," Cr Crawley said.
