Victorian Councils have joined forces to create a WebNetwork for Local Government professionals. Network members can share information and ideas, recognise best practice, and advocate for funding, support and career opportunities within the sector.
Manager Communications at Whitehorse City Council, Joanne Mulcahy, said the new group will support people directly responsible for the content of Council web and intranet sites.
“Traditionally IT departments were responsible for websites,” Joanne Mulcahy said. “Today however, web content officers come from a range of areas within Councils, including Public Relations, Communications, IT and Customer Service. This shift is occurring because more and more Councils are acknowledging that their websites and intranets are key communication tools for their organisation. They understand that online information needs to be professionally presented, easy to read and accessible to all members of the community.”
Joanne Mulcahy said a network was needed to support this growing industry of professional web content managers and developers.
“Until now web content managers and developers within Local Government have been operating largely on their own with little industry support, information sharing and networking,” she said. “We hope the new WebNetwork will change this by bringing professionals together to discuss and debate issues, share research, recognise achievements and best practice and lobby for funding and investment across the sector.”
The WebNetwork’s first meeting was held at the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) office in Melbourne during September. It was very successful with more than 40 representatives from Victoria’s metropolitan and rural Councils attending.
“We also have more than 90 subscribers to the network’s mailing list, which allows network members to email messages to the group and communicate informally with their peers,” Joanne Mulcahy said.
The network was recognised and endorsed by peak bodies such as the MAV and the State Government’s Victoria Online.
Joanne Mulcahy encouraged those not currently subscribed to join the network and have their say on sector development.
“It’s an excellent opportunity to gain information as well as to keep up to date with the latest trends and issues in online communications,” she said.
For further information on the WebNetwork, contact Erin Spithill, Online Communications Manager at the City of Whitehorse, on (03) 9262 6458.
To subscribe to the WebNetwork visit lists.vicnet.net.au/mailman/listinfo/webnetwork
