Blacktown City Council Leads AI Initiative to Enhance Development Applications Process

Quick Overview

• Blacktown City Council is experimenting with AI to expedite development applications.
• The AI application, DAISY, addresses local planning concerns for residents.
• DAISY processes over 450 inquiries weekly, supporting more than 60 applications.
• Developed by Gadali and hosted on Microsoft’s Azure platform.
• Backed by a $190,000 grant from the NSW government.

Getting to Know DAISY

Sydney’s Blacktown City Council is leading a trailblazing project utilizing artificial intelligence to streamline the development application process, particularly for individual residents. The AI tool, known as DAISY, was created to simplify and speed up the often intricate planning application procedure.

DAISY’s Role in Development Applications

DAISY is designed to help residents with inquiries related to property planning regulations, the type of application needed, and essential documentation. It targets low-density residential developments, such as home modifications or secondary dwellings, and utilizes local and state planning directives for direction.

AI in Action: Initial Use and Feedback

Since its initial availability in January, DAISY has been actively interacting with the community, answering over 450 inquiries weekly and facilitating more than 60 development applications. While the feedback thus far is encouraging, Blacktown City Council is concentrating on initial data to evaluate DAISY’s effect.

Development and Collaboration

The AI tool is the result of cooperation between Sydney-based Gadali and Enterprise AI/Adaptovate. Gadali played a critical role in connecting DAISY with various data sources, such as flood mapping and the NSW Planning Portal. The AI operates securely on Microsoft’s Azure cloud, ensuring that no data is used for training third-party models.

Financing and Future Opportunities

The initiative received a $190,000 grant from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure’s Artificial Intelligence in NSW Planning – Council Early Adopter Grant Program. As the trial unfolds, the council remains hopeful about DAISY’s ability to revolutionize local planning processes.

Conclusion

Blacktown City Council’s AI endeavor with DAISY signifies a noteworthy advancement in modernizing development applications. Although still in its nascent stages, the project exhibits potential for minimizing delays and simplifying procedures for residents.

Q&A

Q: What is DAISY’s goal?

A: DAISY is created to assist residents with questions regarding development applications, concentrating on planning regulations and necessary documents for local projects.

Q: How does DAISY function?

A: DAISY leverages information from local and state planning regulations to offer general guidance for low-density residential developments.

Q: What are the preliminary findings of the DAISY trial?

A: Initial results are positive, with DAISY answering over 450 inquiries per week and supporting more than 60 development applications.

Q: Who is behind DAISY’s development?

A: DAISY was created by Sydney technology consulting company Gadali in collaboration with Enterprise AI/Adaptovate.

Q: How is DAISY financed?

A: The initiative is financed by a $190,000 grant from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure’s AI grant program.

Q: Is DAISY’s information secure?

A: Indeed, DAISY operates on Microsoft’s Azure cloud, and no data is utilized for training third-party models.