Queensland’s 77 councils collectively manage $142 billion of infrastructure assets (roads, bridges, water assets) that are used to provide services to their communities. From the Cape to the Gold Coast, these assets include roads, water networks, parks, and community facilities, and are the backbone of local communities.
Managing them effectively is a complex challenge. Vast geographical distances, differing demographics, and varying revenue bases mean that every council faces unique pressures in maintaining safe, reliable, and sustainable services.
Recognising the need to strengthen asset management capability across Queensland, Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC) and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) have joined forces under the QTC Education Program, in a joint initiative with Queensland Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers.
Together, they are offering a new online course, Introduction to Infrastructure Asset Management, which offers leading asset management frameworks, financial expertise, and government guidance, helping to ensure Queensland’s councils and departments, can move from compliance to true capability.
The Queensland Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers is also engaged in the capacity uplift, providing local government relevant tools, templates and resources to guide asset management, and have been instrumental in providing the funding to enrol this significant sized cohort from across the state.
Turning Compliance into Confidence
At the commencement of the course, Jordan Watts, Acting Executive Director, Strategy and Service Delivery at the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, set the scene by acknowledging the pivotal role of local government in community wellbeing.
“It’s terrific to see such a strong turnout from councils right across Queensland,” Jordan said. “You are the people on the ground who make sure our communities receive the services they rely on, through smart and sustainable infrastructure management.”
Jordan emphasised that while most councils meet the Queensland Audit Office’s 2023 compliance expectations, the next step is to embed asset management into day-to-day decision-making.
“This course is about moving beyond compliance to building capability and confidence to make asset management a lived practice across councils every day.”
That ambition underpins the collaboration between IPWEA, QTC, and the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers. Together, the partners have created course that blends technical rigour, financial insight, and practical application and, importantly, removes cost barriers. The course is fully subsidised for Queensland local government employees, ensuring access for all councils regardless of size or location.
A Partnership Driving Sector Capability
This partnership draws on each organisation’s unique strengths:
- IPWEA brings internationally recognised frameworks and decades of professional experience in asset management training.
- QTC contributes deep financial expertise to help councils align asset decisions with long-term fiscal sustainability.
- The Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers provides the policy and legislative context, supporting councils to meet both regulatory and community expectations.
Together, they are helping Queensland’s local governments turn asset management from a technical requirement into a strategic capability that supports liveable, sustainable communities.
Strong Start for the First Cohort
The first offering of Introduction to Infrastructure Asset Management is already off to an impressive start, with 148 enrolments representing 40 organisations including 38 local governments, the Queensland Police Service, and the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers itself. This means just over 49 percent of Queensland’s 77 councils are already taking part, reflecting strong demand and sector-wide commitment.
Delivered entirely online over four weeks, the course is designed for accessibility allowing participants to learn at their own pace while connecting with peers through live Q&A sessions and discussion forums. Participants gain a foundational understanding of asset management systems, data, planning, and governance, and how these elements connect to long-term financial sustainability.
Key Learning Outcomes
Throughout the four-module course, participants gain a clear understanding of what asset management truly means and why it is fundamental to sustainable service delivery. The course explores the difference between simply managing assets and applying a structured, strategic approach to asset management that integrates people, processes, and policies. Participants are introduced to the essential components of an effective asset management system examining how data, planning, risk, and governance interact to support informed decision-making.
Importantly, the course also highlights how sound asset management practices align with financial planning and reporting, enabling councils to make decisions that ensure long-term sustainability and community value. By the end of the course, participants develop both the knowledge and the confidence to apply asset management principles in their own organisational contexts, connecting day-to-day operations to broader strategic outcomes.
These outcomes align with IPWEA’s Asset Management Pathway, which provides a structured progression from foundational understanding to advanced professional certification. The program is designed not only to build knowledge but also to foster a professional network across Queensland linking asset practitioners facing similar challenges, whether in a remote shire or a large metropolitan council.
Empowering Local Government for the Future
As Jordan Watts noted in closing, “Asset management might not always make the headlines, but it is fundamental to delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable services for our communities.”
The Introduction to Infrastructure Asset Management course is helping to ensure that councils across Queensland have the skills, confidence, and support to manage the infrastructure that underpins every aspect of community life. With the combined support of IPWEA, QTC, and the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, the program marks a major step forward in strengthening the capability of the state’s local government sector now and for the future.
