Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Are your business systems ready for the Year 2000?

The Year 2000 date problem is an issue all councils need to address immediately. Councils need to implement strategies to reduce the risk of being affected&endash;councils are as vulnerable as any other business.

All councils are affected

Every local council in Australia, regardless of size, relies on computer-based date tracking systems to make periodic payments, record valuations and asset assessments, process payrolls, produce lease and loan repayments, and generate customer reminders.

Computer dependent areas that may be affected by the Year 2000 date problem include:

• building management systems
• access and surveillance security systems
• environmental monitoring
• lift control, fire alarm and air-conditioning systems.

Because of their dependence on computers, councils that deliver water and sewerage services are particularly vulnerable.

Research into level of readiness in councils

In September and October 1998, the National Office of Local Government surveyed 327 councils to determine the level of preparedness for the Year 2000 problem in local government. About 75% of the councils who responded to the survey said that they were 'underway', 'well advanced' or 'fully prepared'.

A further 19% said that they were in the early stages of preparation. Thirty-three percent of councils who responded to the survey indicated that they were at 'moderate', 'high' or 'very high' risk of being affected by the Year 2000 problem.

Councils you can contact for assistance with the Year 2000 problem

The following councils are fully prepared for the Year 2000 problem and have offered to provide practical advice to other councils:

• Baulkham Hills Shire Council, NSW (contact Ms Aneesh Singh on 02 9843 0115)
• Ku Ring-gai Municipal Council, NSW (contact David Letheridge on 02 9424 0888)
• Meander Valley Council, Tasmania (contact Michael Rohwedder on 03 6393 5328)
• Shire of Laverton, WA (contact Ian Quartermain on 08 9031 1202).

The State Local Government Departments and Local Government Associations and the Australian Local Government Association can also offer advice.

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