Queenslanders will have vital information on natural disasters at their fingertips with the launch of a centralised online platform www.qld.gov.au/emergency.
Minister for Information Technology Ian Walker said the online Emergency Services and Safety platform means Queenslanders can find vital emergency-related information in one place with the click of a button.
“This kind of service is part of the Newman Government’s one-stop shop approach to put our customers first, to expand our online service delivery and reduce the cost of simple transactions,” Mr Walker said.
“It improves customer services by offering easy access to consistent information, whether customers jump online using a smart phone, tablet or PC, call from anywhere or visit a counter in their local community. In this case people can find out information on emergency alerts and updates.
“Today I am launching the One-Stop Shop Plan which outlines a way for government to re-vitalise frontline services and improve people’s experience when interacting with government.
“The former government’s attempt at streamlining services online was a huge failure and as a result we’re now behind the eight ball on this, but our One-Stop Shop Plan will redress that. It outlines our promise and approach to put the customer first, with choice, quality, simplicity and convenience as our guide.
“It includes community consultation and engagement for regional service centre pilots which will help us to find out what people think and assist us to design service delivery that best suit their local needs.
“The plan also outlines how we will be moving 200 services online by the end of 2015 – these are services that Queenslanders use as they go about their daily lives to do business and run a household.”
“The www.qld.gov.au/emergency platform is in line with this plan as it incorporates integrated solutions to improve accessibility and better support Queenslanders to plan, respond and recover from disaster events.”
A one-stop shop approach for emergency-related information and services provides customers with:
- improved accessibility to emergency alerts and updates – customers now have real-time access to all alert feeds, 24/7 from one central location www.qld.gov.au/alerts
- greater efficiency and effectiveness when accessing the SES request for assistance phone line in an emergency situation
- real-time updates and the ability to check the status of requests for assistance in the event of a disaster (to be released in 2014).
Minister Walker launched the online platform in Brisbane with Minster for Police and Community Safety Jack Dempsey.
Mr Dempsey said the one-stop shop approach was a pivotal step forward in improving public accessibility to emergency information and services, especially in times of heightened anxiety when immediate support is crucial.
“Rather than wasting time searching for the appropriate emergency service department to log or respond to a disaster request, customers can now access the support they require, whether they choose to go online, call from anywhere or visit a government service centre,” Mr Dempsey said.
