Online streaming a popular choice
Campaspe residents are making use of online streaming to view Council meetings, with a steady increase in usage over the past year.
More than 10 people tune in to watch each meeting as it happens each month, while others choose to watch the recording, which is online two days after the meeting, and skip through to the items of interest.
“It’s a great way for the community to see what happens at Council, without having to make the drive to Echuca each month,” said Mayor, Cr Leigh Wilson.
“Especially when there may be only a few items of particular interest to individuals on the agenda. We generally have more people watching online than we do in person”.
With an average viewing of 2.5 minutes and between 10 – 30 people logging on to watch within a week of each Council meeting, the streaming is steadily growing in popularity.
“People are heading to the website and clicking through to what they want to see at the meeting – our statistics show that most people don’t watch the whole meeting, but engage with it for short bursts. This is assisted by the ability to click through to the discussion of specific agenda items once the meeting has been recorded and posted,” said Cr Wilson.
“We have many repeat users, however an average of 40 per cent of viewers each month are new to the site, which tells me that we are engaging the community effectively.”
The streaming does see peaks and troughs, with a record 72 people watching last March’s Council meeting, however numbers generally stay steady.
“I’d encourage anyone interested in Council matters to attend our meetings, or to view it live online,” said Cr Wilson.
Agendas are posted to the website the Friday before each meeting, with Council’s next meeting on Tuesday, 16 February at 5pm, Echuca Civic Centre. The live recording is available on the website two days after the meeting, while those wishing to view the meeting in real time can do so at http://webcast.campaspe.vic.gov.au/video.php