An app to support recycling and a system that uses analytics to identify contaminated bins are in the running for a local government technology award.

Hobson Bay City Council is a finalist in the Customer Experience Achievement category of the 2021 MAV Technology Awards for Excellence for its Recycling 2.0 app.

The Melbourne council designed the digital tool to support its kerbside service which includes bins for food & garden waste, glass, mixed recycling and rubbish.

Developed with community and user feedback, the app offers residents information about bin schedules, what to put in each bin, service updates and tips on reducing waste.

It also provides information on how each recycling stream is tracking as well as quizzes to test how well residents understand how to use their four bins and feedback options.

Managing illegal dumping

Meanwhile, City of Canterbury Bankstown in Sydney’s inner west is in the running in the same category for its Closing the Loop in Waste Smart CBCity project to minimise bin contamination, missed bins and illegal dumping.

The project also uses GPS data and live traffic information to avoid delays in collection routes.

MAV President David Clark, says the finalists reflect the work councils have been doing to achieve a cultural and technology shift. 

“Across the sector, especially in response to the COVID 19 pandemic, councils have embraced digital solutions as a way to maintain high levels of community service in difficult circumstances,” Cr Clark said. 

And the finalists are….

Finalists from Victoria, the NT, NSW and SA will compete across five categories including Customer Experience, Collaborat or Partnership, Smart City, Strategy and Planning and Digital leadership.

Winners will be announced in Melbourne on April 29  Melbourne, and will be eligible for the Victorian and Australian Achievement of the Year. 

Customer Experience Achievement of the Year finalists

• Closing the Loop On Waste – City of Canterbury Bankstown Council and Code for Australia 
• myDarwin Support Local Program – City of Darwin 
• Involve me, Make it Easy, Get out of the Way, Get it Done – City of Greater Geelong 
• Recycling 2.0 – Hobsons Bay City Council 
• Today In Your Village – City of Sydney 
• Early Years Digital Hub – Boroondara Families – City of Boroondara 

Collaboration or Partnership Achievement of the Year finalists:  

• Project Pinnacle – Alpine Shire Council 
• Animal Registration Process – Brimbank City Council 

• Innovation at Brimbank Pilot Program – Brimbank City Council 
• Collaborative Service Desk – Cities of Charles Sturt, Marion and Port Adelaide Enfield 
• Corporate Data Catalogue Project – City of Melbourne 
• Procure to pay workflow implementation – Melton City Council 
• Googong Smart Community Project – Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Peet Ltd & others 

Smart City Achievement of the Year finalists: 

• Closing the Loop On Waste – City of Canterbury Bankstown Council and Code for Australia 
• Smart Casey Launchpad – City of Casey 
• Googong Smart Community Project – Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Peet Ltd & others 

• Today In Your Village – City of Sydney 
• myDarwin Support Local Program – City of Darwin 

Strategy & Planning Achievement of the Year: 

• Technology @ Casey – 2020 Strategic Plan – City of Casey 

• Smart Casey Launchpad – City of Casey 
• Googong Smart Community Project – Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Peet Ltd & others 
• Future Flexibility – City of Greater Geelong 
• Involve me, Make it Easy, Get out of the Way, Get it Done – City of Greater Geelong 
• H2.0 Agility – Hobsons Bay City Council 

Digital Leadership Achievement of the Year: 

• Electronic Approvals – City of Burnside Council  
• Cardinia M365 Records Transition – Cardinia Shire Council 
• myDarwin Support Local Program – City of Darwin 

• Corporate Data Catalogue Project – City of Melbourne 
• Procure to pay workflow implementation – Melton City Council 
• Yarriambiack Shire Council ICT Business Transformation – Yarriambiack Shire Council