Council gives go-ahead for more digital transformation

THE Surf Coast Shire council will try to make as many of its business processes entirely digital as it can, following a review of its Digital Transformation Strategy.
Originally adopted in 2017, the strategy states the local government sector needs to keep up with the digital age and deliver online services as a matter of course, so the council needs to build its capability in this area to stay relevant to the community and customers.
The strategy also notes digital services could deliver important financial benefits in the future that can contribute to addressing the council’s financial challenges.
The $6.6 million digital transformation program is about halfway completed in terms of both budget and scope, and councillors discussed a review of the strategy at their meeting last week.
The officers’ report to council notes various benefits had been delivered from the program so far, including “the agility with which Council has been able to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The mobility and stability of the improved technology and systems enabled Council to quickly adjust many of its services from face-to-face to a series of remote and online services.
“This has ensured that the community has continued to receive important services over the last six months.”
According to the review, there are several areas for development in the strategy, including further integration of IT systems, creating a modernised digital interface for customers, and investigate opportunities to collaborate and partner with other councils (such as data collection).
Surf Coast Shire councillors unanimously resolved to endorse the strategy, now known as the Digital Transformation Strategy 2017-2022, and agreed that the remainder of the program budget (about $3.6 million) should be used to deliver the planned scope, including transforming as many business processes to be digital end-to-end as can be achieved.
“Digital transformation is a part of everyday life, and it is increasingly about how we’ll connect, how the community will want to connect with us, and how we build and enhance our capabilities,” Cr Tony Revell, who moved the motion, said.
“In many respects, what we’re doing here with this review is checking in – we’re looking at what’s working, what needs review, what’s next and what’s missing.”