IPWEA NSW & ACT Welcomes Auditor-General’s Report 'Road Asset Management in Local Government'

IPWEA NSW & ACT has welcomed the NSW Auditor-General’s report, Road Asset Management in Local Government, as a vital call to action for councils to strengthen the management of one of their most significant infrastructure responsibilities: roads.

The report highlights critical gaps in road asset management practices and outlines opportunities to enhance governance, data systems, and long-term planning. For IPWEA NSW & ACT, these findings reaffirm the priorities that the Institute has championed for years.

A Shared Vision for Better Asset Management
IPWEA NSW & ACT strongly supports the report's emphasis on efficient asset management frameworks, long-term capital works planning, and reliable data systems. These elements are at the core of sustainable infrastructure management and underpin the delivery of safe, accessible, and durable roads for communities.

The Role of Data and Technology
The Institute particularly welcomes the Auditor-General’s focus on reliable, accurate, and assured data for road management. IPWEA NSW & ACT is already leading the way with its Asset AI program, which helps councils modernise their asset management systems. By leveraging advanced data analytics, councils can better predict road deterioration, prioritise maintenance, and manage costs more effectively.

Long-Term Planning and Financial Certainty
The Auditor-General’s call for long-term capital works programs is another priority area for IPWEA NSW & ACT. The Institute notes that while planning is essential, it must be paired with long-term financial certainty to ensure strategies can be implemented effectively.

The Institute also supports the need for councils to formalise service levels and community priorities within their Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) frameworks. Clear benchmarks will help councils align their efforts with community expectations, delivering transparency and accountability in road management.

Building on Good Practices
The Auditor-General’s report identifies good practices, including resilience planning for natural disasters, transparent performance reporting, and systematic prioritisation of works. IPWEA NSW & ACT sees these as foundations for continuous improvement across the local government sector.

A Call to Action for All Tiers of Government
The Institute urges all levels of government to prioritise these reforms, recognising that effective road management requires collaboration, investment, and innovation. By working together, councils and their partners can achieve safer, more reliable road networks that support communities and local economies.