Lake Mac Smart City, Smart Council Digital Economy Strategy on exhibition now

A draft strategy designed to help Council and the community build a more connected, innovative and resilient City, has been placed on public exhibition for 30 days.

The Draft Lake Mac Smart City, Smart Council Digital Economy Strategy 2016-2020, identifies ways Council and the City can maximise benefits of having access to high-speed broadband-enabled technologies and creative industries.

Council’s Manager Integrated Planning, Sharon Pope, said the community has played an important role in the preparation of the draft strategy now on exhibition.

“We received 300 ideas about how the use of digital technology can make Lake Macquarie more connected, sustainable and prosperous,” Ms Pope said.

“The ideas received have enabled us to identify initiatives that will help boost the local economy, improve the performance of City operations and, ultimately, enhance the lifestyle of residents.”

Initiatives include trialling solar-powered mobile device recharging benches in the City, making greater use of audio and video in publishing Council news and related content, providing information about our City and city life generally using new online tools, developing a policy to enable Council datasets to be made available as open data, and implementing smart infrastructure and smart systems.

“Council does not hold all the answers and the draft strategy represents a call for action to business, government and the community to work together to build a Smart City,” Ms Pope said.

The draft strategy can be viewed online at www.haveyoursaylakemac.com.au/smart-city or in person at Council’s Administration Building, 126-138 Main Road, Speers Point, and at all City libraries.

Council staff will be available to discuss the draft strategy at the following locations:

· Thursday 29 October, 9.30-11am, Toronto Library

· Wednesday 4 November, 9-10.30am, Morisset Library; and

· Thursday 5 November, 9-10.30am, Cardiff Library.

Have your say by Tuesday 24 November 2015.