Getting Started
Select an appropriate natural asset 'class' to start with
A feaasibility study on Environmental Asset Management for Brisbane City Council1 recommended that council start with assets that:
- Have known functions and values
- Have up to date mapping
- Are significant to community and politically
- Can demonstrate changes over recent past and future, ie. need to be managed and management has influence
- able to be engaged operationally throughout different sections of council
It is suggested that councils start with natural asset classes that deliver a common function as their built asset system counterparts - allows council to 'extend' current asset activities to include this new asset class where it makes sense to do so.
Establish a simple, yet workable asset register and information system
This is consistent with industry guidance which endorses a 'core' to 'advanced' approach to developing asset management systems. Get a simple system working and keep track of the assumptions, uncertainties and data gaps as it is used. Extra details can be added as resources allow.
For example, start with desktop mapping methods that make use of available spatial data. Deploy rapid field based condition assessment at representative and/or priority 'sample sites'. Core systems can identify where more detail is needed.
Integrate with your council's existing information systems
In doing so you are more likely to align with your organisation's operational and financial systems and procedures.
Look for precedents when seeking to 'assess natural waterway condition'
Stream and waterway condition assessment methods have evolved over the last 20 years of Natural Resource Management practice in Australia. A number of ecological health condition assessment methods have been developed and applied at local scales in urben settings, however the practice has not evolved to the point where standardised guidance or even basic 'practice notes' are available. In lieu of such guidance, the resource library compiles existing examples of municipal scale assessments of urban creek health.
Consider putting a dollar 'value' to natural assets as part of your 'Advanced' - not Core - Asset Management system
If an asset’s dollar value is to formally appear on its Financial Statements, its valuation needs to occur in accordance with the relevant Australian Accounting Standards. Such Standards do not provide any method for valuing ‘environmental assets’ – beyond their land value or in some cases capital works replacement value.
It is possible for an asset to appear on a corporate asset register without its capital value being fully determined. This is not unusual in the instances where a council manages assets that it does not own.
It’s important to understand what may or may not be gained by embarking down the path of ‘ecological accounting’. The process of ‘quantifying’ the value of a local natural asset is very time consuming and ultimately remains subjective. Many recommend that councils avoid the temptation to monetize environmental assets – rather look to identifying costs and values that relate to the actual decisions that need to be made.
For example, bush regeneration maintenance or rehabilition costs per unit creek length can inform decisions about maintenance budgeting when doing asset plans.