Baulkham Hills Shire Council has developed a good model for Local Government to improve its use of information technology. Manager Information Technology, Ron Challenor, said the aim of the project was to develop an innovative Information Management and Technology Strategic Plan. Many other Local Governments have taken an interest in the work at Baulkham Hills, particularly the land and property information systems.
“We have also had more than 80 visits concerning our electronic document system,” Ron Challenor said. “The challenge was to develop a plan that was more innovative, more strategic and had greater staff ownership than previous strategic plans. A decision was made to use technology as an enabler in the delivery of an increased level of customer service and to provide services to our rapidly growing community,” he said.
The population of the Shire has been growing at about 8,000 residents a year for several years and the number of rate assessments processed has increased by 60 per cent in the past five to six years. This growth is expected to continue until at least 2010 when the Shire population is expected to be 200,000.
“Technology is seen as the best means of underpinning that growth by providing appropriate customer service and support,” he said. “The current strategic plan will ensure continuing innovative delivery of customer service to deal with the implications of growth.”
For further information contact Ron Challenor on (02) 9843 0555.
