The Local Government Act requires the Council to adopt an asset plan that includes information about maintenance, renewal, acquisition, expansion, and decommissioning of assets under the Council's control by June 30, 2021.

The Infrastructure Priorities for Council Asset Plan 2021-2031 - Strategic Asset Development includes several strategic asset projects for the planning period.

The asset plan suggests improvements for some council-owned properties, including partnering with Grampians Community Health to redevelop the Alex and Jemima McDonald Centre for health and community use.

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Grampians Community Health chief executive Greg Little said the healthcare provider had long been considering the centre as a potential location to expand its offerings within the region.

"We've been in the building alongside it for several years. In about 2012 we tried to seek funds from the government for a feasibility study into how we could turn it into a community venue," he said.

"Already, we're providing a number of services in Ararat: mental health, homelessness, drug and alcohol counselling, aged care services, and NDIS. But what we are hampered by is a lack of space.

"So we've battled for a long while about how we could improve what we deliver in Ararat, and to do that, you've got to have good venues.

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"We really want a partnership with the local community so it's a building the local community can benefit from."

Mr Little said while the plans were still in their infancy, Grampians Community Health's discussions with the Council had been promising.

"It's still very early stages. We've had some conversations with the Council about how we'd like to see that go, and I think they're the same as us in that it's something they would like to see better utilised," he said.

"It's a fantastic venue, it's in a great location. Our community asset team would really love to see it used and if they (Council) are willing to partner and invest in it that would be a great thing."

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In 2014, the Council called for public submissions and ideas for future use of the centre.

Various groups such as Central Grampians LLEN, Ararat City Band, Rock and Roll dance club, Musical Comedy Society, and Ararat Darts Club expressed interest in using the centre.

However, Central Grampians LLEN and Ararat City Band found alternative locations. Simultaneously, a council officer report from the December 2016 meeting agenda stated the other groups had not moved into the centre because "the building was unable to be utilised at this time".

The asset plan also has a strong emphasis on improving roads within the region.

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It recommends developing a "north-south heavy transport route around Ararat," expected to reroute more than 500 heavy vehicles from Ararat's centre each day.

It also suggests establishing a "rural road backbone" centred on Tatyoon Rd and Mt William Road to support heavier use of the roads by freights, tourists, and local traffic.

More broadly, it recommends the sealing of critical urban unsealed roads and laneways throughout Ararat Rural City.

Councillors unanimously voted to endorse the plan.

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