Survey to define digital needs, challenges

Those developing a plan to take advantage of increasing access to the internet and digital technology across Otago say they first need a clear picture of the digital challenges the region faces.

A new region-wide survey gives residents and business people until next month to tell their councils about their internet and digital skills as well as services needs and challenges.

The Dunedin City Council, Clutha, Waitaki and Central Otago District Councils and the Otago Regional Council, led by the Dunedin Digital Office, will use the information to help produce a digital strategy for Otago.

Stuart Dillon-Roberts, from the digital office, said the strategy would provide an action plan to equip and prepare the community to take advantage of digital opportunities in Otago.

The survey was an important part of building a vision of how Otago could connect to, increase digital technology and capitalise on it, he said.

A "digital bus" would travel around Otago, seeking ideas, submissions and feedback. Workshops would be held with schools and businesses.

Results from the survey would be made available in the new year, the aim being to have the Otago digital strategy developed by March.

The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/s/OtagoDigitalStrategy, on the websites of the Dunedin Digital Office and participating councils, and in hard copy at their offices.