Smart developments and solutions

Innovation and creativity – these are at the heart of how we can grow more connected communities.

When I was elected LGAQ President in October, I indicated that I saw the future for Queensland councils centred on connectivity. Building better linkages, exploring new technologies and taking a creative approach to how we conduct our business will be at the forefront of how we all succeed in serving our communities interests into the future.

This month I had the opportunity to join a delegation from the LGAQ and its subsidiaries to examine innovation opportunities that could potentially provide new models for councils across Queensland in how they deliver services and generate greater prosperity and employment opportunities in their communities.

As part of our activities we met with councils in Boston, Chicago and Paris – each of which have well established reputations for how they work with their communities and citizens to improve the liveability of their cities.

We hear much in Australia about smart cities – and we know it is councils, more than any other level of government, that are playing a leading role in smart developments and solutions.

To learn from others who have already embarked on that journey is something that we can all benefit from (no matter where we are in Queensland) as we tailor our own approaches to building resilience and opportunity for our communities. 

As part of our itinerary, we also had the opportunity to explore in a deeper way, international developments in renewable energy, street lighting, street furniture, digital signage and data management and analytics.

We also met with an amazing Queensland-born entrepreneur who is leading the field in the development and use of blockchain technology as a means to provide greater integrity and security against fraud, particularly for high-value assets. 

All of these developments offer innovative and creative options that councils right across our State could potentially explore as a means to strengthen regional and local economies, improve our public areas and deliver more cost-effective services.

I am on the record as saying Queensland already has some of the most innovative councils in Australia. This is not just in the south east corner or the major regional centres along the coast. But I also firmly believe that when it comes to innovation, resting on your laurels is one sure way to fall behind.

We constantly need to think about how we can best ensure local governments in Queensland remain leaders in their field. 

The LGAQ and its associated businesses operate in the knowledge that digital innovation is at the heart of connectivity for councils. Our task at the LGAQ is to assist councils identify where opportunities and solutions may enable communities to get the most out of the constantly evolving global digital economy.

This editorial was originally published in the 2017 Feb-Mar edition of Council Leader magazine.