Some features of new information technology have been most warmly welcomed in rural Australia where communication and distance have been a perennial problem. There is often a far greater need for the delivery of e-services in country and regional areas than in the city. Involving more than 100 Local Governments, Local-e aims to improve the availability of online services for NSW country councils.
The initiative was the rural winner in the 2003 National Awards for Local Government in Information Technology. Roger Jayasundara, Local-e Project Director, said that everyone involved in the project was thrilled with this recognition.
“We are very humbled by the award and wish to congratulate all of the Local-e stakeholders and the staff of participating councils who have made such a tremendous contribution to the success of the project,” he said.
While there is a great need for these services in rural areas, Roger Jayasundara emphasised that change has not been forced or hurried.
An incremental approach to the process has been adopted to ensure the steady acceptance of online services by council staff and communities.
“The sites were designed for use primarily by council customers – the community – so ease of navigation was considered essential. We believe the sites achieve this with great success.”
Some 130 council web sites have been developed, of which more than 100 have been implemented and 79 are live, and it has led to the training of more than 400 council staff. Following the success of the Local-e web sites, around 80 Local Governments have now elected to participate in the second phase of the project.
The second phase, known as Local-e ‘Next Steps’, will allow web site users to make online payments, lodge council requests, use interactive maps to locate and book council buildings, as well as providing access to tourism information and community publishing features. Councils will also have access to a comprehensive e-Procurement system for electronic purchasing. Roger Jayasundara said that the high level of participation by councils in the ‘Next Steps’ program was very encouraging.
“The enthusiasm shown by councils wishing to offer these advanced features to their communities is an essential ingredient for the continuing success of Local-e project,” he said.
The unique web site management software is also configured to assist opportunities for Local Governments to share information and develop collaborative programs, generating cost savings and other resource benefits to all councils and communities.
Local-e Online Action for NSW is an initiative of the Local Government Association of NSW and the Shires Association of NSW, in association with the Australian Government’s Networking the Nation Program.
