Have your say on Asset Plan

Published on 28 August 2025

The asset renewal gap is something that has been an issue for rural and regional councils in particular for many years now, but Loddon Shire Council is bucking the trend.

Data in Council’s Draft Asset Plan, which is now out for public comment, shows that the gap has decreased by about $500,000 a year since 2022, from $2.1 million a year to $1.6 million.

The asset renewal gap is the difference between what it costs to maintain an asset at current service levels and the funding available to do so.

Rural councils have been particularly susceptible to large gaps due to a smaller ratepayer base and a substantial amount of assets to upkeep – in Loddon Shire’s case the known value of the assets is about $625 million.

The Draft Asset Plan shows the improvement in Loddon Shire’s position has been due to increased Roads to Recovery funding from the Federal Government.

It also forecasts $176 million will be available over the next 10 years to renew, upgrade and maintain Council’s assets, or about 92 per cent of the amount needed to sustain current service levels.

Council will look to reduce the gap further through the likes of grant funding.

Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub said he encouraged residents to have their say on the draft plan.

“The Asset Plan is vital in enabling us to plan for the future,” he said.

“There is a significant amount of information in the draft plan and it lays out what we need to do and how we’ll do it.

“Now we need to hear from you before we make a final decision on the plan.”

To have your say on the Draft Asset Plan please visit the Loddon Shire Council website and follow the links from the home page.

Listening posts will also be held in Boort, Inglewood, Newbridge, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn.