A chorus of discontent from Campaspe Shire’s community leaders has greeted the unveiling of the Asset Management Plan, which could see several iconic buildings become privately or committee owned.
The Campaspe News has received several inquiries about the document, some concerned and others confused, the outcome being our decision to implore readers to further investigate the impact the plan will have on their communities.
For those Campaspe Shire residents who don’t have the time, or inclination, to wade through hundreds of pages of the report — and attachments — here is what the plan actually means to Rochester, Lockington and Colbinabbin.
Listed for disposal at different points in the 10-year Asset Management Plan is the Rochester Senior Citizens’ property, Colbinabbin Hall, Colbinabbin Works Depot, Nanneella Hall, Lockington Hall and Lockington kindergarten, along with council-owned land in Rochester’s King, Hotham and Bridge Sts.
A Koch Rd property is listed for disposal in Colbinabbin, as is a Rupert St building in Lockington.
But it is not only Rochester’s residents who should be concerned; this document affects the entire shire.
Before you prepare placards and angry emails to your local government representatives — several (led by Deputy Mayor Colleen Gates) were at pains to explain the document would not be the only paperwork considered in relation to the disposal of community assets.
Those people who have contacted the Campaspe News are so incensed by the plan (available on the council’s website through the June 15 agenda and adopted by councillors at the same meeting) that we understand some have already written to councillors with their concerns.
At Kyabram the historic Plaza Theatre and Town Hall buildings are the “big ticket” items on the list of council-owned buildings earmarked by officers for “disposal” in the next decade.
Described as a “living document” by one council insider, the Asset Management Plan details the future of the shire’s $881 million in assets, including its $314.9 million in roads and $188.5 million in buildings.
Items included in the report are council-owned land ($127.8 million), footpaths ($30.13 million) and the highly contentious swimming pools (valued at $11.4 million) — the report detailing assets earmarked for disposal, upgrade and renewal — while also rating current assets from good to failed.
Among the other community facilities listed for disposal were senior citizens’ halls at Echuca, Stanhope, Rochester and Rushworth, several kindergartens and a range of other community group headquarters.
The asset management paper could not have come at a worse time for the often strained relationship of community groups with the Campaspe Shire.
Its delivery comes on the eve of several Campaspe Shire communities preparing to embark on Township Facility Plans (TFP) and amid the continued delivery of Place Based Plans (PBP).
The TFP and PBP innovations are based on the community having a significant say on the future of council-owned buildings, land and other assets.
Council’s timing couldn’t be worse as it also prepares to announce the appointment of committees with the sole purpose of assisting the shire to identify “non essential’’ council-owned buildings.
The asset management plan would suggest those decision have, at least in some fashion, already been made.
At the April meeting of council it was announced a series of TFP governance committees, of between seven and 11 members, would be appointed to assist in the identification of council-owned buildings that were surplus to shire needs.
Committees, once formed, were to be provided with a detailed list of council-owned buildings and land in each town, then be asked to recommend what could be “disposed of” and what the proceeds of those sales could be put towards.
Once the consultation process for the TFP is completed a range of initiatives will be identified, which may include the closure and or sale of council-owned community assets.
As was the case with the proposed decommissioning of the outdoor pools, any facility or service that is identified by the community for closure, or decommissioning and or sale through the TFP process, will see the funds given back to the community.
Those funds will pay for any asset renewal and project identified in the TFP.