Councils across NSW are responsible for millions of dollars of infrastructure assets. These assets, including roads, water supply, sewerage, storm water, buildings and recreational facilities, underpin our modern way of life.

Every day staff in councils need to make difficult decisions about investment, maintenance renewal and upgrade of existing assets, whilst facing demands from the community to build new infrastructure.

Asset Management is an approach that can help with this challenge. Asset management practices can lead to more transparent decision-making, better risk management, financial sustainability, potential cost savings and a more satisfied community. Plus, councils in NSW are strongly encouraged by the NSW Government to improve their asset management practices.

This is an introductory course in Asset Management, targeted to meet the needs of NSW public works professionals. 

If you work as an Engineer, Project Manager, Finance Staff, Councillor or Work Officer, or are interested in one of these careers, this course would be beneficial to you!

 

Course Topics
The industry has identified a gap in asset management training at all levels; works officers, engineers, asset managers and Councilors. Tapping into the “brains trust” is often the difficulty as there usually is a limited understanding of what asset management actually entails. An Introduction to Asset Management course aims help to address this issue and engage key staff in this area by;
Understanding Service Levels - Actual and target levels of service- measurable, quantifiable, and real.

Understanding what asset information to capture - Realistic physical parameters of asset (condition, number etc.)

Understanding Asset performance – Actual maintenance tasks undertaken and what is desirable

Understanding and documenting the constraints facing them and council in managing the asset

Knowing how getting involved in improving asset management practice at your Council can make your job easier!

Getting some help - Participants are asked to submit a case study that they would like to discuss – good, bad, ugly or that they just can’t understand!

Outcomes
Your attendance at this course will serve to provide you with:

• An understanding of Asset Management and its application.
• An understanding of the importance of Asset Management and why we should do it.
• An overview of the Asset management reporting requirements for NSW local government and what Councils are required to do.
• Practical applications of Asset Management knowledge: levels of service, collecting and recording asset data, informing AM documents and providing advice to management on assets.
• Real-life case studies to discuss the good, the bad and the ugly side of asset management application.
• Tools that you can use to make AM knowledge work for you in your workplace.

Course Facilitator – Dirk Jol

Dirk Jol brings 34 years of experience in local government, specialising in asset management across development engineering, roads, water, and wastewater.
He has held senior leadership roles, including Acting Director of Infrastructure, in both large and small regional councils.

Dirk holds degrees in Engineering (UTS) and Engineering Management (Southern Cross University), along with advanced qualifications in Strategic Leadership, Government, Project Management, and Water Operations. He is also a technical panel member of the IPWEA NSW Development Engineering Panel.