Media Release
23 March 2011

Local Solution Nationally Recognised

The recently launched Top of the South Maps collaborative GIS online
solution developed by Nelson City and Tasman District Councils has been
recognised by winning the National Award at the ALGIM (Association of
Local Government Information managers) GIS Symposium on Monday night.

"Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are generally an integral tool
in planning and development work, however, the Nelson Tasman offering
goes further," said Nelson Manager Information Management Steve Petch.
"The new site incorporates information held by the Councils such as
property values, where pipes run, which day to leave out the recycling,
the grade of their local mountain bike track, when the bus runs past the
library or where to walk the dog.

"The ease with which the public can now access Council information has
improved significantly, further enhanced by the increasingly familiar
Google Maps style interface."

Tasman Information Services Manager Peter Darlington says, "Working
together, the two Councils have delivered on the promise of value for
money to ratepayers. A new service for Tasman District Council
ratepayers, and an improved service for Nelson City Council ratepayers
is now up and running, providing accurate and detailed information at
their fingertips in a cost effective manner.

"Top of the South maps is the ideal technical project outcome.

"It is acknowledged that the project could not have been achieved
without the support of local organisations Snap Internet and Network
Tasman Ltd. This alliance allowed us to provide a high-performance,
environment, based completely in the Nelson/Tasman region using public
fibre.

ENDS

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