Bass Coast Shire: A Case Study in Asset Management and Community Enhancement

Nestled in the picturesque southeastern corner of Victoria, Bass Coast Shire is a vibrant region characterized by its natural beauty and community-driven initiatives. Home to approximately 43,000 residents and spanning over 860 square kilometres, the Shire is committed to fostering a sustainable and vibrant community that enhances the quality of life for all. This commitment is reflected in its diverse array of assets, valued at approximately AUD $1.3 billion, which include roads, parks, recreational facilities, community buildings, and waste management facilities.

As Bass Coast Shire look to the future, they recognise the need for climate adaptation and resilience in their asset planning to support their vision of sustainable development. The Shire embarked on a project to assess its key assets using a climate vulnerability framework in addition to physical and functional obsolescence factors - all critical components of assessing state of assets. In order to model scenarios including climate and align a fair value approach for compliance with accounting standards, Bass Coast Shire partnered with Modelve, a specialist in strategic asset management solutions.

Modelve facilitated a scenario-based simulation modelling framework, combined climate impact risks into these scenarios and embedded the same logic into Council's valuation and Asset Management Plans review process in collaboration with Council SMEs, elected members and climate specialists.

Through a collaborative partnership with Modelve, Bass Coast Shire are now implementing its Asset Management Plans, including obsolescence considerations as required for new accounting guidance as well funding trade-offs that enabled balancing future funds. These plans are baseline inputs into Council’s key strategic documents such as the Asset Plan, Long Term Financial Plan and Council Plan. This has not only enhanced the quality and robustness of asset planning but also aligned with current modern practice of deliberative engagement with community and elected members.

And at the highest levels, Councillors comments and thought-leadership as follows is a much needed sense of very strong stewardship on behalf of the community.

On Asset Investment:

• “Perhaps we haven’t been investing enough in our assets.”
• “The additional funding may still be a bit on the light side.”
• “Every dollar spent on our assets and open spaces reflects the community’s priorities and aligns with Council’s core responsibilities.”

On the Plan and the Team:

• “I want to acknowledge the excellent work that’s gone into this plan.”
• “Everything has been thoughtfully mapped out—an incredible amount of work has clearly been done.”
• “This is such a comprehensive plan. Congratulations to the team who put it together.”

The transformation achieved through this partnership has positioned Bass Coast Shire for continued growth, enabling it to effectively manage its assets while supporting local community engagement and economic initiatives.

As a result of the successful implementation of Modelve's software and services, Bass Coast Shire is better equipped to navigate the complexities of asset management including climate and community consensus, ensuring that its infrastructure meets the evolving needs of its residents and visitors. The Shire stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in promoting sustainable development and enhancing community well-being and will be presenting their story at the American Public Works Engineering Chicago, Government Finance Officers Association USA and Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia.