JEETENDRA DAHAL MANAGER TECHNICAL SERVICES CITY OF PALMERSTON RISK BASED INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION SYSTEM

Purpose  To inspect and identify the risks associated with roads, pathways and stormwater drainage infrastructure in order for Council to  Minimise the potential insurance liabilities  Achieve better outcomes on community safety

Assessment of risks  For roads: Based on size of failure/defects and hierarchy of road  For pathways: Based on size of the trip hazard, slipperiness and unevenness  For stormwater drainage: Based on the potential risk and the location of the asset

Inspection methodology  Inspection team  1 inspector, 1 assistant  Inspection procedure  Roads- observations from car  Pathways- carried out on foot  Stormwater drainage- within road reserves from car and within public open space on foot

System procedure  Program for inspection  Collect inspection data including the coordinates of asset locations, and photos  Enter data in the records system & develop a program for maintenance works  Prioritise & arrange urgent responses to make conditions safe  Undertake repair works  Maintain a register of repair works  Have regard to budget and resources constraints

Response  Required actions are taken under 3 categories:  Category 1 (Requires immediate response to make the site safe)  Category 2 (Requires monitoring)  Category 3 (No action)

Coronial Inquest  Issue : An 8 year old boy entered into a fully flowing pipe during a storm event resulting in a drowning death  Coroner’s statement” there should be a system of risk management and risk avoidance”

Council’s resolution  A register of all secured drains be established and maintained  All drains on the register be inspected specifically and regularly not less than twice a year (including once during the wet season)  The results of each such inspections be recorded  Any maintenance and repairs undertaken be recorded

Coroner's response and final recommendation  Response: “It is extremely pleasing to see Council taking such a proactive approach…”  Recommendation: undertake inspections prior to, during and after wet season

Thank you