These services rely on a complex web of assets, including 42,000 km of water mains, 33,500 km of sewer pipes, and 666 treatment plants. With growing challenges such as climate change, population growth, and financial constraints, effective asset management has never been more critical.

Recognising the need for a more structured and consistent approach, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) commissioned DS Minerva to assess the current state of asset management across Queensland’s councils. The QWRAP-Minerva Asset Management Review provides a comprehensive gap analysis and maturity assessment to enhance asset management capabilities and outcomes statewide.

Key Findings:

1. Significant Disparities in Asset Management Maturity
   • Councils vary widely in their asset management approaches. While some have highly sophisticated systems, others operate with minimal resources and limited strategic planning.
   • Many councils prioritise above-ground infrastructure over in-ground assets, reinforcing concerns raised in previous QWRAP studies about historic underinvestment in water and wastewater networks.
2. Challenges in Strategic Planning and Risk Assessment
   • While most councils maintain corporate-level asset management strategies, gaps exist at the asset class level, particularly concerning asset criticality and risk-based planning.
   • Approximately 50% of councils lack structured customer research to inform investment decisions, indicating a need for improved customer engagement in asset planning.
3. Limited Capacity for Asset Failure Analysis
   • Nearly half of surveyed councils do not conduct property damage or societal impact assessments for asset failures.
   • Cost-of-failure modeling remains underdeveloped, with many councils lacking comprehensive financial risk assessments related to infrastructure breakdowns.
4. Data Management and Workforce Constraints
   • Data quality, integration, and governance remain key challenges, with many councils reporting inadequate datasets for effective asset management.
   • Over 50% of councils indicate they do not have enough skilled staff to support proactive asset management strategies.

Recommendations for Improvement

The review highlights the need for statewide initiatives to support councils in improving their asset management capabilities. Key recommendations include:

• Statewide Asset Management Framework & Delivery Support Platform: A shared system offering standardised methodologies, data governance, and best-practice templates to enhance consistency and efficiency.
• Statewide Asset Management Working Group: A collaborative forum to align councils on infrastructure management, investment prioritisation, and risk assessment strategies.
• Shared Strategic Services Resource: A centralised team of asset management specialists to provide expertise and support to smaller councils with limited resources.

The Path Forward

As Queensland’s water and wastewater networks face increasing pressures, a more unified and strategic approach to asset management is essential. By fostering collaboration, investing in workforce capability, and leveraging shared data platforms, councils can improve resilience, efficiency, and service reliability for communities across the state.

QWRAP will continue to work alongside councils, LGAQ, and industry stakeholders to drive these initiatives forward, ensuring that every community—regardless of size or location—benefits from robust and sustainable water infrastructure.

Download the review here.