The Capital Works Committee has endorsed the attached Total Asset Manual and Guidelines for Procurement of Capital Works up to $500,000. A copy of each of these documents is attached.

Their production and release continues the Government's reform of public sector management practices. The systems covering creation and ongoing management of assets have a major influence on the standard and extent of services provided to the Community.

The Manual:

• consolidates and rationalises the series of management initiatives introduced by the Government over the past four years;
• sets out a planning process highlighting asset considerations, implications and linkages at all levels of business planning activities
• contains techniques which may be used to boost the value for the public dollar spent; and,
• shows where help can be obtained when it is needed.
• It is intended that the total asset management process will be monitored by the inclusion of appropriate indicators in Ministerial and Senior Executive Performance Agreements.

The Total Asset Manual will be distributed by Public Works Department, and this will include advice of a series of seminars and familiarisation workshops, designed specifically for business strategists, services planners, finance administrators and asset managers, within all agencies. These seminars and workshops will be conducted by Public Works Department in collaboration with the Premier's Departments Capital Works Unit.

The Guidelines on Procurement of Capital Works up to $500,000 are closely related to the Total Asset Manual and covers the management by individual agencies of minor Capital Works projects.

It is requested that Ministers ensure that all agencies under their administration become thoroughly familiar with the procedures and practices covered in these documents.

John Fahey
Premier