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Putting it out there: things we can make more transparent
6 Comments · Posted by Jack Yan in Business, Environment
While I oppose the installation of water meters—let’s not give technocrats a chance to charge us for something that we should get for free, living on an island—I believe in transparency. Wellington already does well in putting government valuations online, so why not more?
As I discussed transparency with some of my colleagues at the Medinge Group, it was suggested, especially by Ton Zijlstra, that we could, in Wellington, make data on air quality and water usage (where already available) publicly accessible online. We could also put information on water quality in our rivers online, for instance. This could allow communities and enterprises themselves to come up with solutions to make improvements, giving power to the people.
It doesn’t mean the city would stop taking responsibility for these issues. However, I believe that being transparent and open can result in innovations we haven’t come across yet. As always, your thoughts are welcome.
air · creativity · information · innovation · internet · public utilities · transparency · water · Wellington · Whanganui-a-Tara
Sally · 2009/10/11 at 12:28
It also puts the data in your face (inspiring couch potatoes and armchair critics alike to get motivated) and opens up the environmental debate more. That, if anything, prods government to take action, much like when Mum used to tell you what would happen if you didn’t finish your homework…
Albertus · 2009/10/22 at 00:43
Improvement to the water situation can be looked at solutions that are designed for the water utility industry. This is in reference to solutions reducing NRW otherwise known as Non Revenue Water, which is the wastage of water that cannot be sold to the end user. Of course, not looking at privatising water, the suggestions coming from reducing wastage by incorporating NRW solutions can be a good start.
Mike Mckee · 2009/11/04 at 16:36
Why stop there?
Mayor Prendegast hasn’t been good on transparency at all.
Here is an opportunity for Wellington to be a world class city and set the standard as the Capital.
Why not have a GIS map dividing the city into the (clickable) wards and show information pertaining to ratepayers there?
Water and air is the beginning surely?
Why not start with ratetake per ward both residential and commercial.
No of ratepayers (both types) per ward.
It could list the planned infrastructure upgrades in the year with a start month (incl costs).
I can think of at least 20-30 things I would like on there and kept up to date qtrly.
What about you?
Mike Mckee · 2009/11/04 at 16:56
Transparency
How about listing the top 10 rates owers both commercial and residential.
Give people 90 days to come right then put them up on their ward sites for their fellow ratepayers to know who owes them monies.
What about businesses who owe monies/rates applying for further developments/council services being told no, everything stops until you owe nothing?
or how about every council cheque for more than $500 up on the web for all the granny’s to look at, that would stop waste and tighten belts?
(start with $1000 but move down to 500 over 2yrs).
Make all deliberations subject to LAOIA?
Just a thought whilst you’re using the transparency word
Admin comment by Jack Yan · 2009/11/05 at 13:01
Mike, we’re going to start with available data and then look at some of the legalities, but overall I agree that we have to go further.
The Privacy Act 1993 covers some of the issues about rates’ owers and council service provisions, so there are a few traps against making that information public.
Presently my transparency ideas are to create greater civic involvement and to generate extra businesses, which can transform Wellington into a world-class city. Vancouver and San Francisco have already provided the lead on this, and we can at least become the leader in this hemisphere.
Admin comment by Jack Yan · 2009/11/05 at 13:02
Sally and Albertus: thank you for your thoughts, which are not far from my own.