Council set to launch free iPhone app for the community

Hurstville Mayor Steve McMahon has revealed that the Council is currently developing a free iPhone app to enable residents to access Council information through their mobile phone.

Steve McMahon said the innovative app will give residents and visitors alike greater flexibility to stay in touch with Council 24 hours a day.

"In this day and age, many people are time poor and don’t get the opportunity to read the local paper or Council newsletters," he said.

"This app will bring Council and the community closer together at the touch of a button.

"People will be able to sit on a train and request a tree removal, check availability at local car parks before they start driving and even view the local bus timetable.

It is all about making life easier for a generation of people who don’t have the time to deal with Council by waiting on hold or reading brochures."

Steve McMahon said Council is continually looking at ways to provide more services to the community.

"This digital technology will help cut red tape and make doing business with Council more efficient and effective," he said.

Steve McMahon said the app will feature information from Council’s website including news, what’s on, reserves and parks, library services, and waste collection.

"It will also allow residents to report a problem in the community including potholes, damaged footpaths or illegally dumped rubbish in the suburbs," he said.

"This means that residents can lodge a works report with Council at anytime of the day which in turn will be logged into Council’s system for further action as required."

Mayor McMahon said the app is progressing well through its developmental phase and is scheduled to go live by mid next year.

"Once complete, the app will be available for free download from the iTunes App Store," he said.

"Following its launch, and depending on the take up of the app, Council will explore the option of developing a similar product for Android and other smart phones."