Bega Valley Shire Council is celebrating after receiving an award for innovation as well as accolades for recent art exhibitions.
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At the IPWEA NSW Engineering Excellence Awards on Thursday night the council’s project and asset management technology was singled out for recognition.
A comprehensive system known as a Network Operating Centre (NOC) has been developed internally, enabling data mining between council’s separate information management systems.
The concept originated from a need to manage intellectual property, with staff keen to reduce duplication and highlight opportunities that bring about greater collaboration and efficiency.
BVSC manager of strategy and assets Jason Deller said the NOC allows staff – through the use of a touchscreen – to view all relevant information for a localised area, which in turn saves on transportation costs and maximises the efficiency of works personnel.
“There was a real focus on the transport network in developing the NOC and we now have the ability to view large quantities of data spatially across the shire,” Mr Deller said.
“Through utilising the NOC, council is able to fully understand the complexities of transport servicing. Renewal and upgrade information is readily available and reflects the current ‘real time’ status of our network for tactical and operational workflow and future strategic planning.
“While still evolving, the system is already bringing great benefits including better project planning; displaying crash data statistics that guide funding applications and road improvement programs; displaying council road grading schedules to determine level of service requirements and compliance; and minimising the loss of corporate knowledge.
“This is cutting edge technology and the use of drones for video and photographic evidence has been vital to the project, which enables Council to optimise value for money and deliver responsible, ethical spending and efficient service delivery,” Mr Deller said.
In exciting news for the community, much of the information held within the NOC will be soon available through a new ‘transport portal’ on Council’s website.
Meanwhile, industry accolades continue to roll in for the Bega Valley Regional Gallery (BVRG), with the announcement on Friday night of a highly commended at the 2017 IMAGinE Awards, presented by Museums and Galleries of NSW.
BVRG director Iain Dawson said the acknowledgement of Young & Free: An Australian Discourse was a great recognition and follows last year’s category win for Flora Australis.
“It is thanks to the passion and commitment of our 50 plus volunteers that we can host these important exhibitions,” Mr Dawson said.
The final day of the current BVRG exhibition, The SHIRL – National Youth Portrait Prize, is this Saturday, November 18.