CouncilConnect solution offers more than a local government website
Perth and Geraldton based full-service creative agency Market Creations Agency is the delivery partner for CouncilConnect - a website design, development, and hosting solution, specifically suited for Local Government Authorities throughout Australia. This platform was launched in partnership with the Western Australian Local Government Authority (WALGA).
In addition to its web developers and graphic designers, the team of communications specialists at Market Creations Agency are heavily involved in the CouncilConnect website development process. They can provide key stakeholder and community engagement workshops and run surveys to gather insights that ultimately shape the website or intranet design. As the primary users of local government websites, understanding what the community want and need in a website solution is critical to the connection between the local government authority and its community.
Giving the community a voice also fosters a sense of empowerment and pride, which can translate into positive sentiment and involvement. But why is this important? As humans, we crave connection, interaction, and a sense of belonging. Living in a rural community, small or otherwise, can be particularly isolating. CouncilConnect offers a platform where locals can easily find valuable information, contribute their ideas and thoughts regarding community matters, and engage in an online conversation with their Council and other members. The result is more proactive, informed, responsive, and positive community.
Market Creations Agency recently celebrated their 100th CouncilConnect subscriber, the Shire of Carnarvon. This milestone highlights not only the popularity of the CouncilConnect service, but its success in connecting local governments with their communities. Bringing a blend of creative graphic design, custom web solutions, and a user-friendly friendly Content Management System (CMS), the CouncilConnect platform breathes new life to their online presence. To date, Market Creations Agency has delivered over 170 internet and intranet applications for its subscribers.
The Shire of Carnarvon website, like all other CouncilConnect websites, has been designed with connecting the community front of mind. Some key functional aspects of the website build include a Latest News and Public Notices feed on the homepage, in addition to a community Events Calendar, which serve to both inform and involve locals in current happenings in the Shire. A social media feed encourages online conversations, further connecting locals via these platforms. Other CouncilConnect modules that have been integrated and highlighted on the website’s homepage, include a geo-mapping module ‘Near Me’, which allows users to discover events, facilities, trails, and council works around them, using either their live location, or an interactive map.
The website also features Google Translate integration, with six additional languages to choose from for non-English speakers in the community. Removing potential language barriers ensures that all members of the community can equally benefit from the platform and feel a sense of connection to their council and fellow locals. Carnarvon’s local facilities are highlighted in a separate feed, including its Mayu-Mia Youth Hub, Civic Centre, Library, and Art Gallery, not only making it simple for users to access and join these hubs, but reinforcing the message that the Shire exists to serve and connect its community to its best ability.
Following a CouncilConnect website refresh project this year, the Shire of Dardanup commented on the positive impact its new platform has on the Shire’s wider community.
“Market Creations Agency’s extensive experience in delivering websites for local government resulted in them demonstrating a deep understanding of what was required for a website that effectively serves the community. The new website is designed to appeal to the residents, visitors, businesses, and investors into our flourishing community. It also offers expanded capabilities for users to find information easily and access online services. We are very pleased with the outcome of the project”, said Mick Bennett, President of the Shire of Dardanup.
Other recent CouncilConnect subscribers include the Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku, the Shire of Perenjori, and the City of Nedlands. While all part of the local government sector, the needs of the communities based within these Shires and Councils vary drastically. The team at Market Creations Agency attribute regular visits to these regions to the success of the CouncilConnect platform.
“We have spent the best part of our 25-year history travelling to communities around Western Australia – and now the Northern Territory- particularly to those in region. As such, we’ve developed a deep understanding of these communities. This knowledge of what communities want and need has allowed us to strengthen our CouncilConnect platform”, said Darren Lee, Managing Director of Market Creations Agency.
“We are consistently improving our CouncilConnect offering, with a dedicated team of web developers to build new modules and features to enhance our custom-made Content Management System (CMS), SparkCMS, and make sure that our subscribers are receiving benchmark best practice website services. These updates to our service offering are to ensure that we are fulfilling the ultimate purpose of CouncilConnect, which has been the same since day one, and that is to better connect local government authorities to their community. This goal directly aligns with that of our agency as a whole – to make a difference”, added Darren.
Market Creations Agency continues to look at ways to help communities enable self-servicing in the shift to an increasingly automated world. The organisation remains dedicated to developing the CouncilConnect solution to tackle the challenges of maintaining connected communities in this landscape.
To find out more, call (08) 6168 1000, visit www.marketcreations.com.au or email mc@marketcreations.com.au