Description:
This paper explores the value electronic governance initiatives which take the form of an online community. Theory relevant to community informatics and online communities is reviewed. The case study for the Young Australian Rural Network (YARN) is then presented to draw out some of the benefits, challenges and learning that can be experienced in operationalising online initiatives. YARN (www.yarn.gov.au) is an initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). It is an interactive online community for young people working in rural industries. It provides a ‘vehicle’ for young people to communicate directly with DAFF and to keep in touch with each other, collaborate, share ideas and strengthen networks. The establishment of YARN was supported by research undertaken during 2001 which confirmed that the Internet represented a powerful communication channel for reaching young people. In June 2002 DAFF recruited a person with the primary responsibility of overseeing the establishment and ongoing development of an online community where ‘ownership’ would be shared between DAFF and young people in rural industries. DAFF clearly understood that functionality could be created but that an online community would not exist unless its members were actively involved and interacting with each other. Through YARN the Federal Government has established a practical mechanism for achieving many of the promises of electronic governance.
Description:
This paper explores the value electronic governance initiatives which take the form of an online community. Theory relevant to community informatics and online communities is reviewed. The case study for the Young Australian Rural Network (YARN) is then presented to draw out some of the benefits, challenges and learning that can be experienced in operationalising online initiatives. YARN (www.yarn.gov.au) is an initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). It is an interactive online community for young people working in rural industries. It provides a ‘vehicle’ for young people to communicate directly with DAFF and to keep in touch with each other, collaborate, share ideas and strengthen networks. The establishment of YARN was supported by research undertaken during 2001 which confirmed that the Internet represented a powerful communication channel for reaching young people. In June 2002 DAFF recruited a person with the primary responsibility of overseeing the establishment and ongoing development of an online community where ‘ownership’ would be shared between DAFF and young people in rural industries. DAFF clearly understood that functionality could be created but that an online community would not exist unless its members were actively involved and interacting with each other. Through YARN the Federal Government has established a practical mechanism for achieving many of the promises of electronic governance.
Description:
The paper starts with an evaluation of a group of ICT organizations in a regional Victorian town and using a range of qualitative and quantitative data evaluates whether there is a cluster emerging and if so what are the processes of clustering that underpin this. Using archival and interview data the paper then examines key events and turning points in the development of what might be identified as a nascent cluster (Rosenfeld, 1997). In the context of current public policy that directly or indirectly supports ‘clustering’, the paper then assesses the effectiveness of public policy versus private action in the development of regional agglomerations of organisations and institutions that may be called clusters.
Description:
The paper starts with an evaluation of a group of ICT organizations in a regional Victorian town and using a range of qualitative and quantitative data evaluates whether there is a cluster emerging and if so what are the processes of clustering that underpin this. Using archival and interview data the paper then examines key events and turning points in the development of what might be identified as a nascent cluster (Rosenfeld, 1997). In the context of current public policy that directly or indirectly supports ‘clustering’, the paper then assesses the effectiveness of public policy versus private action in the development of regional agglomerations of organisations and institutions that may be called clusters.
Description:
The MainStreet.au.com project has provided its target community with a range of opportunities to access assistance, secure the tools and identify the process and practices to ensure the implementation of sustainable electronic commerce operations. The inclusion of a technical team was a significant factor that positively influenced the project outcomes. Without this element,we would have been locked into a static portal solution, like so many other government-funded projects. This would have tied us to the original business case model where achieving sustainability relied almost entirely on attracting up to fifty percent of the region's businesses with low cost tools. The distinguishing feature of the MainStreet.au.com is the way we deliver all the functionality of MainStreet.au.com but with a 'local face'. This has attracted diverse groups and communities, local governments, town based communities, membership based organisations, industry groups and small and medium enterprises. The level of functionality and services these communities use is high and because these clients have strong ownership of their online activities, maintain their own web-based information and are committed to annually investing to maintain the portal infrastructure and services, the services of MainStreet.au.com will continue to be delivered long after the initial seed funding has been expended.
Description:
Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quickfix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries. There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy that differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics initiatives originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A single case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of GrowExport.com, one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors that are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps that often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
Description:
Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quickfix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries. There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy that differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics initiatives originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A single case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of GrowExport.com, one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors that are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps that often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
Description:
This paper has been drawn from a larger study which encompassed two main themes – regional economic and community development and the consequences of government-funded ICT initiatives. The development action examined is the provision of government funding to support the process of planning, initiating and sustaining online service initiatives in a regional and rural context. A modified version of the Lowe (1999) cluster model is used to tie the emergent theory from a series of case studies to literature in areas including regional development, social capital, community building and community informatics. This paper explores how cluster theory can provide the lens through which the results of government and community actions can be viewed. Impacts are found to be diverse but generally included the establishment of new infrastructure and services, organisational and community learning, enhanced communications and relations, and more efficient government, community and business processes. The Lowe cluster model is shown to be appropriate for examining the impact of government interventions in a regional and rural development context. Further research is required to examine the opportunity to extend its application, for example, to the examination of other areas of community strengthening.
Description:
This paper has been drawn from a larger study which encompassed two main themes – regional economic and community development and the consequences of government-funded ICT initiatives. The development action examined is the provision of government funding to support the process of planning, initiating and sustaining online service initiatives in a regional and rural context. A modified version of the Lowe (1999) cluster model is used to tie the emergent theory from a series of case studies to literature in areas including regional development, social capital, community building and community informatics. This paper explores how cluster theory can provide the lens through which the results of government and community actions can be viewed. Impacts are found to be diverse but generally included the establishment of new infrastructure and services, organisational and community learning, enhanced communications and relations, and more efficient government, community and business processes. The Lowe cluster model is shown to be appropriate for examining the impact of government interventions in a regional and rural development context. Further research is required to examine the opportunity to extend its application, for example, to the examination of other areas of community strengthening.
Description:
Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quick-fix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries. There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy which differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics initiatives originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A single case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of GrowExport.com, one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors which are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps which often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
Description:
Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quick-fix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries. There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy which differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics initiatives originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A single case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of GrowExport.com, one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors which are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps which often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
Description:
Community strengthening approaches which emphasise local solutions to local economic, social and environmental challenges now receive significant support through Federal and State Government policies and programmes. This paper examines the theoretical basis which underpins community building and place based development. The focus then shifts to examining how information and communications technology (ICT) can be used creatively in a community strengthening context. The potential role of regional universities supporting adoption, diffusion and effective use of ICT is then considered. The case of the Wendouree West Community Skills Survey then draws all the elements of the paper together. During 2002 the Centre for Electronic Commerce and Communications (CECC) was engaged by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to support the Wendouree West Community in conducting local skills surveys as part of its Neighbourhood Renewal project. The aim was not just to actively involve residents in the collection of information on the skills and learning aspirations of residents but also to make sure the results would be both useful and used. This paper explores the process involved and outcomes generated through the implementation and ongoing development of the Wendouree West Skills Survey. It is found that the creative use of ICT can generate broad community benefits which extend specific initiative outcomes.
Description:
Community strengthening approaches which emphasise local solutions to local economic, social and environmental challenges now receive significant support through Federal and State Government policies and programmes. This paper examines the theoretical basis which underpins community building and place based development. The focus then shifts to examining how information and communications technology (ICT) can be used creatively in a community strengthening context. The potential role of regional universities supporting adoption, diffusion and effective use of ICT is then considered. The case of the Wendouree West Community Skills Survey then draws all the elements of the paper together. During 2002 the Centre for Electronic Commerce and Communications (CECC) was engaged by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to support the Wendouree West Community in conducting local skills surveys as part of its Neighbourhood Renewal project. The aim was not just to actively involve residents in the collection of information on the skills and learning aspirations of residents but also to make sure the results would be both useful and used. This paper explores the process involved and outcomes generated through the implementation and ongoing development of the Wendouree West Skills Survey. It is found that the creative use of ICT can generate broad community benefits which extend specific initiative outcomes.
Description:
Initiatives to expand the uptake of ICT and electronic commerce in regional and rural regions have been a matter of considerable profile. This paper explores how some businesses and groups are making effective use of a web-based presence and/or online services. Several factors appear to underlie success. These include a high degree of ownership; the ability for multiple users to contribute, to publish and maintain the web-based information and finally the degree to which web-based applications have been tailored to meet the particular business or community purpose.
Description:
Initiatives to expand the uptake of ICT and electronic commerce in regional and rural regions have been a matter of considerable profile. This paper explores how some businesses and groups are making effective use of a web-based presence and/or online services. Several factors appear to underlie success. These include a high degree of ownership; the ability for multiple users to contribute, to publish and maintain the web-based information and finally the degree to which web-based applications have been tailored to meet the particular business or community purpose.
Description:
Since the mid 1990s access to advanced communication and information systems has increasingly been seen as critical for economic and social well-being. Information communications technology (ICT) has been identified as having a virtually unlimited potential to enhance business competitiveness. For regional communities ICT has been identified as providing opportunities to ‘level the playing field’ with benefits espoused in terms of ‘location independence’ and for the end of the ‘tyranny of distance’. In terms of community well-being it has been argued that online capabilities can help to stimulate and reinvigorate both geographic communities and communities of interest. However in spite of the context where online capabilities are promoted as critical elements of regional and rural success, few attempts have been made to draw together various intellectual streams of research with examples of community practice, to gain a clear understanding of how regional Australia can grab its share of this wealth and use it to strengthen local communities. This paper reports on collaborative research which is directed towards these very issues. It responds to a call for research to be instigated to collect case studies of rural communities that have successfully developed community-based Internet services for socially and economically beneficial purposes. There are four industry partners supporting this research. They are Ararat Rural City, the Wimmera Development Association, AME Systems and the Shire of Hepburn. The broad research objective is to consider factors that underpin the sustainability of regional and rural communities with a particular focus on investing factors that affect the success of community informatics (CI) initiatives. CI is an overarching term and an emerging field of study that focuses on the use of ICT by communities for their betterment. It links the concepts of social, economic, political and cultural development with emerging opportunities from ICTs. A mixed methodology, combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies has been used to achieve the study objectives. Findings indicate that where commitment, compatibility and a shared strategic intent are at the heart of collaborative relationships, success and learning is much more likely to occur. The research demonstrates the benefits and challenges of operationalising online initiatives in a regional and rural context. It also contributes to forming an evidence-based approach to public and private action required to underpin the sustainability of regional and rural communities in Australia.
Description:
Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quick-fix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries (McGrath and More 2002). There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy which differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors which are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps which often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
Description:
Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quick-fix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries (McGrath and More 2002). There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy which differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors which are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps which often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
Description:
The Corangamite Corangamite soil health knowledge base is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by Federation University Australia. The Corangamite soil health knowledge base is a collaborative research project between the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni). The aim of the research is to develop a comprehensive, informative, intuitive-to-use knowledge base of soil health information that will assist the broader community to respect the values of the soils of the Corangamite region. The project was initiated in June 2013. The research is overseen by the Corangamite CMA Land Health Program Steering Committee. The role of the committee in the project is to advise on the function, use and relevance of the data and information sources in the knowledge base, which is an online repository of soil health information and knowledge: including reports, research papers, maps and descriptions related to current and past soil series mapping, land capability and suitability assessments, agricultural trials, and soil research and investigations. Soil health studies in the Corangamite region date from 1936. The most recent document to revisit soil health issues in the Corangamite region is Soils Vision: A 20-year plan to improve broad-acre agricultural soils in south west Victoria, known as the 'south west agricultural soils plan' (SWASP). This community-led initiative brought together a collaboration of farming groups, agricultural industries, government agencies and research institutions to identify the activities required to improve the condition of soils used for agriculture in South West Victoria. The goal of this project is to provide the essential background knowledge required to implement the appropriate SWASP soil health actions customised for each of the 15 Local Catchment Plans in the Corangamite region. Project aim and research questions The overall aim this project is to develop a comprehensive, informative, intuitive-to-use knowledge base of soil health information that will assist the broader community implement the SWASP within the LCPs of the Corangamite region. To achieve this, the following key questions emerge: What information exists and how relevant is it to the current soil health issues? How reliable is the information and to which landscapes does it apply? How can the relevant soil health information be best maintained and disseminated?
Description:
Visualising Ballarat is an ongoing project, currently in the early stages of development. It employs a collaborative research approach for developing state-of-the-art knowledge management and planning tools which will empower various community sectors to understand the urban landscape, recognise cultural significance, and assess and monitor change. It proposes a staged approach to a long-term research project that will result in web-based spatial information systems, which include 3-dimensional and 4-dimensional visualisations together with augmented reality experiences of past, present and future Ballarat city landscapes. In September 2013, Ballarat was the first Australian city to join an international pilot program to implement UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL). This recognises the role that urban heritage plays as a social, cultural and economic asset in the development of cities. The HUL program vision is to help Ballarat grow without compromising its heritage; by providing a road map on how to address change without losing Ballarat’s character. At the core of the HUL approach are the community's values, which are the starting point for city management. Hence, there is a need to map these values effectively and have all of Council referencing them as a starting point to city development. It is envisaged that Visualising Ballarat will have a much broader appeal than HUL, extending through a full range of uses - from the utilitarian, such as locating old mine workings and landfill sites - to the esoteric, such as immersive augmented reality experiences of historical places or events. The key component is to provide the community, practitioners, researchers and industry with place-based information on demand, and hence encourage a deeper understanding, consideration and appreciation of the city's historic urban landscape values. Federation University Australia's eresearch and digital innovation capability is being utilised to federate HUL information, data and databases to facilitate access to historic urban landscape information. The developing web-based portal will provide easy access to authoritative and credible heritage information for city managers, developers, planners, researchers, communities of interest, groups and agencies wishing to engage in HUL program activities. It will promote the sharing of knowledge and information, allowing people to gain insights, present ideas, advice and information in a friendly and easy-to-use format, available at people’s convenience. It allows the City of Ballarat citizens to grow their knowledge and share their thoughts and enthusiasm for their city's historic urban landscape. In that sense, the website is deliberately aimed in part at supporting ratepayers, citizens and community groups to feel connected and supported in their heritage interests. The longer-term intention is to encourage the generation of research ideas and projects with other collaborators, locally to globally. This discussion paper outlines a collaborative approach which can be regarded as a blueprint for research that will assist the City of Ballarat and Federation University Australia in achieving their shared goals. The proposed research is founded on the 144-year old relationship between the organisations that has resulted in a substantial repository of regional knowledge. Online liberation of this information, together with that held in the other knowledge repositories of long-standing Ballarat institutions, has the potential to provide new insights into the urban landscapes of this historic city. This visualisation, which is stage 1 of the Historic Urban Landscapes Project, starts the process of bringing together community activities, research and data from government, academics and other sources. It includes: A mapping interface that brings together historic and new data about Ballarat's history and landscape Connections to research on Ballarat's history and landscape and the Historic Urban Landscape approach to managing Ballarat A place for researchers to have an internet 'home' for their projects Connections to existing community activities on Ballarat's heritage and landscape Links into the international 'historic urban landscape' community. This is done through the collection and mapping of data which includes historic landscape imagery, heritage places, parks and gardens, natural landscape and character areas, geological features, community infrastructure and a range of regulatory planning tools and administrative boundaries. This visualisation is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni).
Description:
The University of Ballarat through its Centre for eCommerce and Communications (CeCC) was engaged by the Golden Plains Shire and the City of Ballarat to review the extent to which key objectives of past Geographic Information System (GIS) strategies have been achieved and also to gather information which can assist with future planning during. This dataset contains interviews to gauge current usage of online GIS systems and to obtain feedback to ascertain priorities which were conducted online and face-to-face in January 2011.
Description:
The University of Ballarat through its Centre for eCommerce and Communications (CeCC) was engaged by the Golden Plains Shire and the City of Ballarat to review the extent to which key objectives of past Geographic Information System (GIS) strategies have been achieved and also to gather information which can assist with future planning during. This dataset contains interviews to gauge current usage of online GIS systems and to obtain feedback to ascertain priorities which were conducted online and face-to-face in January 2011.