Victorian Minister for Local Government, Shaun Leane, has announced $7 million in funding to boost access to technology upgrades for the state’s 25 rural councils.
The funding comes from the State Government’s Rural Councils Transformation Program (RCTP).
“Rural councils play a vital role in supporting their communities. This funding will support rural councils to upgrade their technology systems to better serve their communities,” said Minister Leane.
The Minister said many rural councils face difficulties investing in replacing ageing IT infrastructure and systems that prevent rural councils from meeting the service standards they would like to deliver.
Round Two is focused on helping rural councils collaborate and innovate, he said.
Participating rural councils will be funded to implement new digital solutions that improve council service for rural communities.
The projects include:
- $1 million to Mansfield Shire Council, Benalla Rural City Council, Murrindindi Shire Council and Strathbogie Shire Council for new technology for records management, financial management, customer relationships and property and rating;
- $750,000 for Yarriambiack Shire Council, Ararat Rural City Council and Buloke Shire Council to implement new records management, emergency management, building and planning, asset management and data analytics technology;
- $750,000 to Golden Plains Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council and Moorabool Shire Council for new asset management technology;
- $500,000 to Central Goldfields Shire Council and Pyrenees Shire Council for new financial management, rates and property and customer relationship management technology.
Rural councils will also be supported by a new Rural Council Information (IT) Platform Strategy developed with support from Digital Victoria.
“We are supporting local councils with the services they need whether that is better IT services or other technologies so that staff can work efficiently and effectively,” said Minister for Government Services, Danny Pearson.
For more information about the RCTP and funded projects in Round Two, visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au
