Sme1 nds 2 fix th sk8 ramp, thnx
23 March, 2007
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An innovative Council initiative will encourage young people and those technologically savvy in Dutton Park Ward to send text messages with images of leaky pipes, running taps and broken lights to improve the efficiency of maintenance schedules, Councillor for Dutton Park Ward Helen Abrhams said today.
Cr Abrahams said the Pix-o-gram initiative was a way for residents, specifically those in the younger generations, to quickly communicate maintenance issues in their neighbourhoods using the camera on their mobile phone.
“This is about making sure our young people are given the opportunity to engage in civic activities and feel as though they have made a contribution in their community,” Cr Abrahams said.
“It’s also about moving ahead with the times and finding better, more efficient ways of doing things – we’re the first Council in Australia to do something like this and know that by having a “clear picture” will reduce the time needed for site inspections.
“Anyone can send a Pix-o-gram, but I suspect it will be our young people who are technologically savvy that will make the most of this service.”
How Pix-o-grams work:
§ A resident finds an issue in a park, bikeway, waterway, public toilet, Queen Street and Valley Mall and takes a photo with their mobile phone
§ Resident is to send photo along with information about problem – “PPSNAP” (Problem, Place, Suburb, Name, Age, Photo) eg: “leaking tap, Mowbray Park, toilets, near Wynnum Road, East Brisbane – Julia Citizen, 16)
§ Council’s Youth Team receives the message and responds to caller
§ The photo and information then sent as an email to Council’s Contact Centre
§ Contact Centre records the call and refers on to Local Asset Services (the maintenance section of Council)
§ LAS conducts an inspection of reported problem and provides feedback (via SMS) to initial caller
“This is starting as a three-month trial (March 26 – June 30) and will target young people in Central, Dutton Park, East Brisbane, Walter Taylor, Toowong and Pullenvale Wards,” Cr Abrahams said.
“We’re asking people to look out for things like dripping taps, damaged signs, storm damage, broken swings and slides, piles of rubbish, leaking pipes and broken lights.
“Our Youth Team will work closely with schools to inform them about the service and encourage them to take part. This is about making sure our young people are given a chance to make a contribution to their community.”