Council offers online incentive

North Shore City Council will be using an online survey - and the temptation of a free meal - to measure the public's interest in receiving news about its activities electronically.

The council's communications manager, Paul Thompson says it is worth identifying who in the community would rather receive information by email than through their letterbox.

"At council, we're always looking for ways to lead by example in saving money and the environment, including cutting back on the use of paper wherever we can.

"Clearly this is a good opportunity for us to walk the talk by making our own information available electronically," he says.

Mr Thompson says North Shore City residents like him are heavy users of email.

"It makes sense for our council to leverage the Internet and develop electronic communications that can be delivered faster and more cost-effectively than print.

"It's yet another way of keeping our promise of 'information within reach' by delivering more services to the community online."

In the future North Shore City Council intends to provide updates on key projects such as infrastructural upgrades by email plus an online magazine. Individuals could be emailed topics that are of special interest to them.

"It's all about helping people stay informed about those things that specifically affect or interest them," Paul Thompson says.

Hosted on the council's website http://www.northshorecity.govt.nz from April 1 for a month, the electronic survey should take no more than five minutes to complete. The results will be reviewed in May and will determine whether the council proceeds with plans for more electronic communications.

Survey respondents will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win dinner for two at the Esplanade Restaurant in Devonport.

"We feel the prize of dinner at an iconic North Shore City restaurant has wide appeal and will encourage members of the public to complete the survey. We hope to get a good response," he says.

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