THE number of assets maintained by the City of Ballarat has soared by 13,500 in the past two years.
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The figure was detailed in a report on the condition of the city’s $1.9 billion-plus worth of assets, approved on Wednesday night by Ballarat councillors.
All councillors voted in favour of approving the State of Assets Report 2013-14 at the council meeting on Wednesday night.
The report revealed that since 2013, the num-
ber of assets maintained by the council had increased by 13,500.
The purpose of the report was to assist the council to meet the renewal demand of assets as they age.
Big-ticket items listed in the report included roads.
The report revealed there was a significant shortfall in the road surface funding for Ballarat.
Current funding only met 40 per cent of what was required in the city.
The council report said road seals were critical in providing safe roads and protecting the city’s $460 million of road pavement underneath.
It said continued underfunding would lead to a “decreased service level” and roads across the region would become further run down.
The report said while $675,000 was allocated to annual unsealed
rural road renewal, more than $950,000 was required.
By the end of this financial year, the council would have spent more than $3.2 million on improving rural roads.
Ballarat City infrastructure general manager Eric Braslis said the condition of the city’s assets varied.
“Some are excellent and some are failing,” Mr Braslis said.
“This report breaks those assets into categories to show (the) council where additional care and funding was needed.”
He said millions of dollars were set aside annually in the council’s core asset renewal program fund.
Mr Braslis said the money inside the fund was able to be reallocated wherever it was most needed.
Councillor Samantha McIntosh said the council had access to more data than ever before, which allowed it to better manage its growing list of assets.
“We are a step ahead of where we have ever been and it allows the council to be in a better position moving into the annual budgeting process,” Cr McIntosh said.
Achievements listed in the report included the implementation of the council’s award-winning tree protection framework and development of a footpath renewal plan.
melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au