The first Australian Local Open Government Summit is now scheduled for the 18th May 2011.
Shoalhaven City Council has shown the initiative and drive to get this meeting (summit) together.
It is primarily a local event to education council employees and the community on the benefits of Open Government. However, other surrounding councils have been invited to join in this entrepreneurial activity.
The organisers are happy to have any interested person attend this Australian first. The more the merrier.
You can see what is planned at;
http://opengovinitiative.wikidot.com/summit-agenda
You can attend by registering at the site or the address in the Nowra Summit flier
OR
Follow what happens and the outcomes at the above site.

Councils (and council employees) are facing an ever increasing number of demands.
Councils are being asked to do more with less.
There are more requests for increased services (increased expenditure), while the income stream is under pressure.
There is acknowledgement now in local government that adequate funding is not available to refurbish aging infrastructure.
A new model is required.
We need to get our heads together with our communities and come up with "good ideas" to address the issues.
We then need to move the "best" ideas into practical solutions that benefit councils and their communities.

This is what "innovation" is about.
Councils need to become more innovative.
A wiki has been set up to gather comments, ideas and thoughts on Councils moving forward with Innovation.

Go to the site and have a look, make a comment or add an idea. We need your help.

http://innovativecouncil.wikidot.com/