NSW govt to fast-track open data

The NSW government will fast-track the release of de-identified open data under a new ‘crowdsourcing’ initiative where it is seeking ideas from the community about how to improve service delivery across the state.

Making more data sets available through data.nsw.gov.au is one of a few programs under the “Premier’s Innovation Initiative”, launched on Thursday by NSW Premier Mike Baird.

The NSW government is increasing the number of agencies providing real-time information to the public under its Open Data Policy.

This policy and implementation plan set out best practice principles for agencies to prioritise the public release of data and requires them to work with stakeholders to seek feedback on priority data sets.

The government said providing data to the public will improve transparency and accountability; support evidence-based policy; and provide a platform for innovation.

The state government released an open data policy last year, and revamped data.nsw.gov.au earlier this year.

Transport for NSW is already receiving up to 40 million data requests each month. A series of “apps4NSW” competitions are encouraging industry and the community to use public sector data to create web and mobile apps, the NSW government said.

One app using NSW government data is TripView, which delivers trip information and real-time public transport updates to transport users in Sydney and the Central Coast.

Another app, Fires Near Me, alerts users to bushfire activity across Australia and New Zealand as it happens and monitors where total fire bans are in place.

Expressions of interest from the community will open in September.

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