South Australian ratepayers have saved more than $2 million and will continue to save more than half a million dollars a year as a result of a two year program providing improved online services. An initiative of the Local Government Association has 60 of the State’s 68 councils using one sophisticated web publishing system.
Costing $2 million, it was made possible through a Networking the Nation grant. Local South Australian company, Chimo Pty Ltd, undertook most of the work, which kept jobs in South Australia, and regional web developers have helped rural Councils with design elements, retaining jobs in regional areas. In another boost to South Australia, the system is now publishing 25 Tasmanian and one Northern Territory Council web sites.
Local Government Association President, Councillor John Legoe, said the initiative demonstrates that Councils are working to ensure people receive quality services at the lowest possible costs. The initiatives means:
- all SA councils now have web sites
- councils are now using the State Government’s online tender system making further savings and getting information more easily to tenderers
- more than $26 million of payments to Councils have been made online through the SA Government Bizgate system
- a host of common modules allow Councils to publish data in a consistent format, such as cemetery register information, greatly assisting genealogists
- consistent formats allow the central display of composite information, for example a media centre has been created on the LGA web site to publish all participating Council’s media releases in one chronological listing.
Councillor Legoe said the project could not have worked without South Australian Councils working together to create cost savings and better services for people across the State.
“This demonstrates the sort of commitment that Councils have to communities,” he said.
The media centre can be viewed at www.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/mediacentre. More information about this technology initiatives can be found at www.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/esp
