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MAV Conference Garners International Interest (11 May)

11/05/2011
Two international delegations are attending the MAV's 2011 National Local Government Asset Management Conference today and tomorrow, Thursday 12 May.

​A 19 member Knowledge Tour from the Department of Municipal Affairs in Abu Dhabi, led by His Excellency, Dr Abdulla Albloshi, and a party of 20 from Dubai are among the 300 attendees at the eighth annual conference, focusing on the sustainability of council asset management.

The delegations advised the MAV that they conducted an international search to find the most suitable asset management conference in line with visions for their cities, and chose Melbourne because it is the home of the nationally-acknowledged MAV Step Asset Management Program and one of the world’s most liveable cities.

MAV President, Cr Bill McArthur stated, “Local government is the level of government that spends the highest proportion of its revenue on infrastructure. Victorian councils manage $55 billion worth of community assets including 85 per cent of the state’s road network.

“The MAV introduced the Step Asset Management Program in 2002 to build sector capacity, reduce infrastructure backlogs, and further improve councils’ asset knowledge and management.

“With a national infrastructure backlog of $14 billion identified in 2006, smart management of local government infrastructure is the most significant challenge facing councils.

“Between 2007 and 2011, the Step Program identified Victorian councils faced an annual underspend of $280 million. Through participation in the Step Program, the annual infrastructure spending shortfall has reduced to $100 million per annum. This is due to more robust asset assessments by councils, improved data quality available through the program, and increased funding commitments.”

The MAV has been working particularly closely with the delegation from Abu Dhabi, and given their significant interest in the MAV Step Asset Management approach, has offered them complimentary access to our Program.

“We would like to form a strategic partnership with the Municipality of Abu Dhabi, and share asset management knowledge on a continuing basis.

“The journey from awareness of council asset management issues to the implementation of a strategic plan to end these obstructions has been challenging, but rewarding.

“In these times of floods, bushfires and climate change, the need for better asset management to inform good quality council decisions has never been greater. This conference is helping councils to learn from the past and build a better future for our communities,” Cr McArthur concluded.

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