Last week, several councillors and members of the Yass Valley community gathered to workshop ideas that would contribute to a smarter digital future for our valley. Attendees were presented with a variety of smart community ideas that have been put into practice around the world, including smart street lamps, parking sensors, and community Wi-Fi.
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For those with a more technically-driven mind, information continues to mean power in facilitating lasting change for our community. The relationship between big data and effective policy was praised as a winner for local governments wanting to get ahead as leaders in using tech to improve service delivery and processes.
Big data, in laymen's terms, is the collation of information from a variety of sources that are so significant, advanced software is used to draw information that could otherwise not be determined. What it could mean for our community is finding previously unidentified efficiencies in the way our council conducts business and significant improvements in delivering services for our community.
Some newer ideas that were floated by attendees included the use of more advanced sensors within our local roads to assist the council in the prioritisation of maintenance and sealing works. Additionally, the use of water-based sensors in our water supply in order to better determine crucial water quality and quantity information that could help prevent water scarcity or protect the existing supply during times of drought.
All of these ideas conjured up within many attendees the feeling of a community ready to embrace more technologically advanced means to do business and live their lives in our valley. One important point that was raised that with all of the hustle-and-bustle of a digitally transitioning community, we must ensure that all members of our community are empowered by the potential benefits.
This is where our very own local digital natives, typically those born from 1985 onwards, to volunteer their time to traditionally less digitally literate community members in order to build an empowered and informed community from the ground up. It also teaches these volunteers that technology for many remains a skill that requires constant practice, further learning and sometimes, a sensible dose of humour!
If we maintain an open mind and a collaborative nature to how we continue to embrace technology locally, there is a very bright future ahead for the Yass Valley.
