Recent legislative changes in New Zealand have required local authorities to be able to demonstrate prudent financial management. As a result many local authorities have developed asset management plans. Some local authorities have taken an integrated approach and included roads with their other assets whilst others have developed a separate road asset management plan. The question that needs to be asked is whether the plan will be a useful tool in assisting the management of the road network or just another impost on the maintenance manager. The authors argue that the process involved in the development of the plan together with the plan itself are essential to the effective management of the road network. There are a number of reasons for this including the opportunity to review the existing performance of the asset and assessing the current and future demands on the network. The paper describes the development of two such plans, namely those for Southland District, a rural and tourist area, and Clutha District an essentially rural District. Both are located in the south of the South Island of New Zealand. (A)
Samenvatting