A clever idea developed by Northern Rivers councils to streamline road information online has the potential to become a model across Australia for the delivery of timely road information.
The MyRoadInfo website was developed several years ago when members of the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils (NOROC) worked together to produce a central online hub so people throughout the region could find up-to-date road info at the push of a button.
Last year the website received a ‘highly commended’ at the 2012 Resilient Australia Awards and the software has already been licensed by Mid North Coast councils with negotiations now taking place with councils in western NSW.
Like many good ideas, the MyRoadInfo website was born of necessity. During a major flood event in 2009 Lismore City Council’s helpline was inundated with calls from people in neighbouring council areas trying to get home. It became apparent that a service that bridged council boundaries was essential.
“We realised there was a genuine need for people to get from A to B and have information that was timely and accurate at their fingertips,” said Lismore City Council IT Manager Garth Hayhurst.
“Flooding, road closures, accidents, delays – MyRoadInfo covers it all and can be checked from any computer, phone or iPad. It updates with road information from all councils as well as Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), so it’s an incredible road safety tool.”
MyRoadInfo uses a single web address that provides access to all MyRoadInfo sites, making it a perfect tool for a nation-wide interface.
“Having the same web-based system across the country would make interstate travel that much smoother for your average holiday maker or tourist – you would always be looking at the same interface even though each site would be regionally managed,” explained Mr Hayhurst.
“Our idea was always to make the roads safer for drivers and I think we’ve really achieved that with this software and it showed immense regional cooperation between local councils. We all feel proud that it’s something that was developed by councils right here in the Northern Rivers.”
