In April, a weekly online, radio style program was launched on Hobsons Bay City Council’s website. ‘Baychat’ is believed to be the first magazine style audio program of its type for a municipal Council. The program features interviews with community members and traders, community news and upcoming events.
Located at the northern end of Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne’s western suburbs, Hobsons Bay is home to a range of diverse and vibrant communities, and a rich, natural coastal environment. The City covers an area of 66 square kilometres and has a population of just over 80,000 people.
Residents and visitors can easily access Baychat simply by downloading it from the Internet at their convenience.
Hobsons Bay Mayor, Councillor Carl Marsich, said Council is keen to try different approaches with its communications.
“We have received terrific feedback about the Pelican Post – Council’s page in The Hobsons Bay Times, and we are keen to continue strengthening our communications with our local community, and the world,” he said. “Council is pleased to offer Baychat as a unique source of information to community members. The program differs from other media in that it presents a human element to our communications.”
The first Baychat program captured a special moment when the 50,000th visitor came into to the Hobsons Bay Visitor Information Centre in Williamstown. Jan de la Rue was greeted by applause and cheers and presented with a prize pack donated by Hobsons Bay businesses.
Baychat is updated each Monday on Council’s website at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
