Faced with the requirements of the new Integrated Planning Act, Noosa Council set about developing a software application which would enable cost effective implementation of the changes.
“We looked around and found nothing out there in the market place which completely met our needs,” said IT Manager Ken Mewha. “As some traditional suppliers had not responded to the changes, we decided to develop our own.
“We needed an easy to use system that did not require a substantial investment in new hardware and could be implemented quickly.”
Noosa’s Integrated Planning Act Suite or ‘One Stop IPA’, provides a cost effective solution. It won the Management Excellence Category Award and the Overall Category Award at the 1998 Queensland Local Government Excellence Awards.
Ken Mewha said the new requirements, including changes to the time allowed, types of planning applications, and the amalgamation of planning and building, were all assisted by the new software.
As it dovetails into Microsoft Office, used by 95 percent of Queensland Councils, it reduces costs associated with new software or hardware.
One Stop IPA is now fully operational at Noosa. It provides staff with a quicker and easier means of tracking requests. Clients are happier thanks to quicker response times.
By July, the system will enable those with Internet access to readily track the progress of their application without the need to contact Council directly.
Ken Mewha said that, faced with the prospect of competition from the private sector, it is a temptation to reduce standards to match organisations that may care more about profits than quality.
“One Stop IPA provides a solution that increases productivity and responsiveness without sacrificing obligations to the community,” he said. “A number of other Councils have now purchased this software.”
For further information contact Ken Mewha, telephone (07) 5449 5285.
