It has been stated that, per head of population, Australia has the largest proportion of people using the Internet and owning mobile phones than any other country in the world!
Consistent with the theme ‘the clever country’ this should come as no surprise. Probably the result of our ‘tyranny of distance’, as a nation, Australians have readily embraced new technology, especially in the communications area. At the same time, communities around Australia, though supportive of cable TV, have said a categorical ‘no’ to the financially attractive but environmental disaster of over head cabling.
Returning to the less intrusive Internet, already a number of Councils have established their own web sites enabling their residents, and anyone else on the world wide web, to access a range of information about Council and the local area.
As announced in our last edition, in June, FOCUS went Online. As well as providing access to a range of articles presented in each edition, we encourage Councils to use the Internet as a new avenue for submitting material prior to publication. From our Internet pages, titled ‘Have Your Say and Share Your Ideas’, items can be emailed directly. A list of future Features is presented, as well as various articles that have already been submitted by Councils.
We welcome discussion, feedback or further input on material presented here. This input will be used to formulate the Feature prior to publication in FOCUS. In addition to this creating yet another avenue for Councils to share their good ideas and successes, we are keen to encourage international input. Councils around the globe can see what Australian Councils are doing, as well as provide information on their own programs and initiatives.
As our home page states, ‘discover what Councils are doing across Australia to shape community life’, this direct access to a world wide audience is an exciting prospect. However, it is still new, so as more and more Councils come Online, we will accept information emailed to corinnem@mpx.com.au or faxed on (03) 9489 1845.
Now it is over to you. We look forward to receiving your input.
