Blacktown City Council has taken a significant step towards streamlining its development application process by partnering with Enterprise AI. This partnership introduces DAISY, a Microsoft-based solution designed to revolutionize the way the council handles development applications. By addressing the challenges of complex and unclear processes, DAISY aims to improve efficiency and enhance the overall experience for both applicants and council staff.
A Complex Process and a Burden on Staff
The development application process has long been a source of confusion for applicants, leading to a high volume of inquiries and requests for information. This complexity is further exacerbated by the legal requirement for staff to respond to all enquiries, placing a significant burden on employees. The Blacktown City Council recognized these challenges and sought a solution to streamline the process.
Introducing DAISY: A Streamlined Solution
DAISY, developed in collaboration with Enterprise AI, consists of two key components: DAISY Assist and DAISY Assess. DAISY Assist provides clear, site-specific planning guidance to applicants, making the process more accessible and user-friendly. DAISY Assess, on the other hand, automates time-consuming tasks such as application screening and generates draft assessment text, significantly reducing the workload for council staff.
A Partnership for Success
The development of DAISY took 18 months and was built in close partnership with councils to address specific pain points in the development application process. This collaborative approach ensures that the solution is tailored to the unique needs of each council, including their planning controls, legislative framework, and property data.
Real-World Impact and Benefits
The implementation of DAISY has already shown promising results. Blacktown City Council reports a 40 to 100 applicant enquiries being deflected per week, a 49% increase in capacity for servicing queries outside business hours, and a 20% reduction in assessment timeframes over the first six months. These improvements not only save time but also result in better-quality applications, reducing the need for further information requests.
A Brighter Future for Development Applications
As the partnership between Blacktown City Council and Enterprise AI continues, the focus is on further enhancing the application process. The council is working with Enterprise AI to add additional features and improvements, ensuring that DAISY remains a powerful tool for both applicants and council staff. With its ability to streamline processes, provide clear guidance, and automate tasks, DAISY is poised to revolutionize the development application landscape in Blacktown and beyond.
In my opinion, the implementation of DAISY by Blacktown City Council is a significant step towards a more efficient and applicant-friendly development application process. It demonstrates the power of technology to transform complex systems and the potential for collaboration between local governments and software development firms to drive positive change. As we continue to see the integration of AI in various sectors, initiatives like DAISY highlight the importance of innovation in improving public services and enhancing the overall user experience.
