Open data driving real change for Canberrans at GovHack 2018


Released 07/09/2018

GovHack participants will put themselves in the shoes of a fellow Canberran for this year’s ACT challenge.

The ACT Government is a proud supporter of GovHack, an event that will see a diverse group of people using our extensive government data to develop innovative solutions to real world problems.

GovHack is a non-stop 46 hour event held simultaneously around Australia which begins tonight and finishes Sunday 9 September.

ACT Government Chief Digital Officer Bettina Konti said 2018 participants would be asked to approach this year’s GovHack by putting themselves in the shoes of another Canberran.

“This year’s ACT Government theme ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ will see hackers take on the perspective of a fellow Canberran,” Ms Konti said.

“Whether it be a new parent, a small business owner, someone contemplating retirement or someone wanting to help those less fortunate we’re asking participants to use open data to find solutions to make the lives of others that little bit easier.”

Ms Konti said the beauty of GovHack was its ability to bring together a diverse range of people to hack for the common good.

“There’s a place for everyone at GovHack no matter what skill level they have,” Ms Konti said.

“From technical specialists to graphic artists and creative problem solvers, everyone can get involved in problem solving.”

Some of the innovative solutions from 2017 participants included an app for helping learner drivers, transport modelling, and using community gardens as a means to bring people together.

Ms Konti said this year’s GovHack participants will be able to access a wide variety of data available on www.data.act.gov.au.

“Data available includes general health survey information, public facilities, graffiti sites, cycling crash black spots, road signs, live data on bus locations and air quality, and much more” Ms Konti said.

“The ACT was one of the first Australian jurisdictions to develop a central open data portal for public access and continues to release accessible, timely, reusable, trusted and sustainable public data.

“As a digitally driven city, we’re proud to encourage and celebrate our technical and creative capacity, connecting citizens with government for great outcomes, and building upon the social and economic value of the data we publish.”

Find out more about GovHack 2018 at www.govhack.org

To access the wide range of freely available government data visit www.data.act.gov.au and www.actmapi.act.gov.au

GovHack begins at 6:30pm tonight, Friday 7 September, at the E29 Renewables Innovation Hub, 19/23 Moore Street, Turner - https://www.govhack.org/locations/canberra/

- Statement ends -

ACT Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate | Media Releases

Media Contacts

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Ellena Bisset

0427 442 484

cmteddmedia@act.gov.au


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