FNDC Bridge Inspections & Asset Management
Client: Far North District Council
A resilient bridge network through data-driven decisions
The Far North District Council (FNDC) is responsible for 725 bridges and culverts across the region. These structures are critical to the Far North’s transport network, connecting communities and supporting local economies. With a finite repair and maintenance budget, FNDC needed an asset management strategy that would ensure network resilience, avoid reactive spending and provide long-term value.
FNDC chose to partner with GRIT to help them pragmatically assess risk and prioritise action.
Developing a best asset lifecycle strategy
Understanding the condition of each bridge and culvert was the first step. Where assets showed multiple defects or signs of deterioration, detailed analysis was carried out to quantify risk and determine the most effective course of action. This allowed FNDC to prioritise investment where it would make the greatest impact - ensuring safety risks were minimised, while avoiding unnecessary spend on assets that could continue to perform reliably within their remaining lifespan.
Maintenance scopes, repair plans and replacement strategies were developed to support informed decision-making, while emergency inspections following storm or impact damage ensured rapid and logical responses when needed.
Making the data manageable
Managing hundreds of assets efficiently can be a daunting task, but our clear, risk-based reports with interactive photography of each asset gave FNDC all the data they needed to prioritise action. With clear risk-assessment criteria, we helped develop a framework that sorted thousands of defects into priority levels, allowing FNDC to identify critical work while planning ahead for lower-priority issues. Along the way, we collaborated with our client to clean and update their asset database to improve the quality and relevance of asset condition data.
More value, less waste
With an accurate view of risk, we worked closely with FNDC to adjust their forward work programme. Some planned repairs could be safely delayed, while higher-risk bridges were prioritised. In some cases, reinspecting assets and challenging prior assumptions revealed that major repairs or replacements previously recommended could be safely avoided. By properly assessing load capacity and durability, reductions in scope and cost were achieved, avoiding unnecessary work and delivering savings.
Logistical challenges
Inspecting and assessing such an extensive network wasn’t without its challenges. The region is large, and many sites are remote. To deliver best value, inspections were grouped by location and efficient routes mapped out. We also used GPS monitoring and check-in systems to keep our workers safe, while staying productive.
A clear plan for the future
FNDC now has a clearer picture of their bridge network’s condition, along with prioritised maintenance and renewal strategies grounded in evidence, not assumptions. Working with our client, we’ve supported a smarter, more sustainable approach to infrastructure asset management, and helped build a stronger, more resilient transport network for the region.