Warrnambool council has $1.1 billion worth of roads and buildings, but not enough money to maintain them

Warrnambool ratepayers own $1.1 billion worth of roads, bridges, playgrounds and public buildings, and a fresh council report shows the cost of keeping them standing is rising faster than the money available to maintain them.

What happened: Warrnambool City Council received its latest State of the Assets report last Monday, which assesses the condition of council-owned infrastructure. It warned of mounting pressure on renewal budgets over the next decade.

• Council chief executive Andrew Mason said the report highlighted the “continued challenge” of maintaining such a large asset base.

What was found: Councillor Matt Walsh described the findings as “pretty stark”, pointing to a funding shortfall in roads and buildings “well north of $15 million”.

• “We have millions and millions of dollars of assets that if we don't put money into them, they will fail,” he said.

• Walsh said the report should give residents a clearer understanding of the financial balancing act facing council as it weighs up infrastructure renewal against other spending priorities.

The renewal gap: Councillor Billy Edis said Warrnambool’s harsh coastal environment was accelerating the deterioration of roads, buildings and other public infrastructure, deepening what councils refer to as the “renewal gap”.

• “We get to that terrible phrase, where the money that it's going to take to maintain these is going to be far more significant than what we do have to provide the maintenance,” Edis said.

What does it mean? The report is expected to shape the council's long-term financial planning and future decisions about whether to accept or build new community assets.

• Councillor Richard Ziegler said every new playground, building or facility added another long-term maintenance obligation for ratepayers.

• The report flagged growing pressure on renewal budgets as Warrnambool’s infrastructure network ages and expands.

• Several key figures - including the total 10-year funding shortfall across all six asset classes - were not publicly detailed during the meeting.

Who pays for it? Mayor Ben Blain said councils could not keep pace with rising infrastructure costs without greater state and federal government support, particularly as Warrnambool grows towards a population of 50,000.

• “We've got over a billion dollars worth of assets that we're trying to manage, while managing the growth that we're seeing within our city as well,” Blain said. “The only way we're going to get that, though, is with support.”