Council failed to meet suitable levels of health benchmarks in its operating performance ratio, building and infrastructure asset renewal, and its infrastructure backlog ratio. 

In order to better fulfil criteria in the future, the report outlined that Council planned to review some of its assets. 

Assets set to be reviewed included seven community services including Aboriginal services and dementia respite, environmental programs and sewerage disposal.

“Council has a very large amount of non-current assets,” the report said.

“Many of these assets have built up over time. 

“Council will review all asset classes and consult with the community over the next two years on its function and purpose with the view to liquidate and reduce the amount of asset that has to be renewed and maintained.”

But the Fit for the Future submission also said that despite not meeting all criteria, Council was “better to stand alone and build on its internal capacity to grow to a strong regional city”.

“Council has determined that it can meet the continuous improvement program outcomes … where a five to 10 year time horizon is considered,” the submission said. 

The report has now been sent to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.

 The tribunal will assess the submission and make recommendations to the state government by October 15 on whether Armidale Dumaresq Council should stand alone or amalgamate.