26 March 2013

Free App to help residents request help

A new smartphone App called FIXiT PNCC will provide Palmerston North residents and businesses with another way to let Council know about issues around the city that may need to be remedied by council.

The free App allows you to take a photo, tag the location on a map and leave a description of the problem. The request is then logged with Council’s Contact Centre and the appropriate staff notified of the issue. Once logged in the system the person who sent the request will receive an acknowledgement.

Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor says residents and ratepayers regularly alert us to things like street lights that aren’t working, pot holes, graffiti, leaf litter. On average we receive 687 requests for service a week.

“They’re our eyes and ears to emerging issues in their neighbourhoods. By alerting Council to issues officers are able to assess the extent of the problem: whether it’s Council’s responsibility; if it is already part of Council’s scheduled maintenance programme; and, if it needs to be elevated and fixed straight away.”

“The FixIt App will allow people to easily and quickly send us all relevant details, including a photo and the map location, as and when they see the issue while they’re on the go.”

Mayor Naylor says it will be particularly useful for members of the deaf community and for the increasing number of residents with smart-phones.

Deaf Aotearoa’s community relations officer Lianna Kennedy welcomed the development of the FixIt App.

“I tested the FixIt app with a tree almost falling onto the ground on my way to work,” says Lianna, “wow, it is easy to use.”

“It will be useful for those Deaf people who have a data plan with their phone. It will allow them access to Council’s services which have previously been hard to access.”

Contact Centre manager Peter Roberts says in recent years the number of homes that have dedicated landline phones have decreased while the number of residents with smartphones has increased.

“The App uses a medium that is becoming popular at a time when older mediums (landlines) are losing popularity.”

Peter Roberts says it is important to note that the level of service remains the same, each request will be acknowledged and then activated within the normal timeframes.

FIXiT PNCC is available via the Apple App Store (iPhone) and Google’s Play Store (Android). If you don’t have a smartphone, no problem – you can still contact us:
• email info@pncc.govt.nz
• Service request form on pncc.govt.nz
• by phone 24 hours a day on 356 8199

Peter Roberts recommends that residents take advantage of free WiFi spots, such as the Library, community branches and The Square, to download the App.

The FixIt App is the latest addition to Palmerston North City Council’s family of Apps:
• MyParx which identifies parks and the services provided
• Frog Parking which allows users to identify parking spaces and to pay for parking via credit card without using the meter
• Layar which allows users to identify valuation and rating information regarding all properties (residential and businesses).

ENDS

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