Appendix 1: Questions that we asked our auditors

Managing public assets.

To gather information about how public entities manage significant assets, we prepared a questionnaire that was completed for most entities that have more than $2 million of assets. We defined "significant" assets as those assets important to the entity's delivery of services. Assets that are "significant" to one entity may not be "significant" to another entity.

The questionnaire sought the following information:

1. Name of the entity.

2. What is the carrying value of property, plant, and equipment as at the 2012 balance date?

3. What are the significant assets for delivering services and their value and valuation method?

Check box. Land (including parks and reserves)
Check box. Landfill
Check box. Buildings
Check box. Transport infrastructure (including road, rail, ports, and airports)
Check box. Stormwater and flood protection systems
Check box. Water supply systems
Check box. Wastewater and sewerage systems
Check box. Electricity generation and distribution systems
Check box. IT and other specialist equipment
Check box. Cultural and heritage collections
Check box. Specialist defence assets
Check box. Motor vehicles
Check box. Other

4. How much information does the entity have to ensure that all significant assets are kept in a condition that supports ongoing delivery of services?

Check box. Rated on a scale of 1 to 4 where 1 is "no information" and 4 is "sufficient information for all significant assets"

5. Does the entity have maintenance and/or renewal profiles documented for significant assets?

Check box. Yes or No

6. To what extent does the entity carry out planned maintenance and/or renewal of significant assets?

Check box. Rated on a scale of 1 to 4 where 1 is "not at all" and 4 is "according to plan"

7. What is the value of deferred maintenance and/or renewals for significant assets?

Check box. Responses were required to state either a balance (including nil) or "Don't know".

8. What is the condition of the significant assets?

Check box. Rated on a scale where 1 is poor condition and 4 is very good condition.

9. Does the entity physically check the condition of its significant assets regularly?

Check box. Yes or No

10. What level of reporting do the following decision-makers receive about the condition of their entity's significant assets?

Check box. Rated on a scale of 1 to 4 where 1 is "no reporting" and 4 is "regular reporting" with an option to select "not applicable".

Check box. Options included the Minister, the governing body, the audit committee, the chief executive officer, and the opportunity to specify other decision-makers.

11. Are there any features of the entity's asset management that could make it suitable for a case study?

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