To explore ideas, council is calling on the community's help to develop the Smart Community Roadmap by completing an online survey or attending an upcoming webinar.

The Smart Community Roadmap will identify and prioritise initiatives that support innovation and guide the planning and delivery of smart services and infrastructure.

Director Jeffery Sharp said a number of smart community initiatives are already in place across the region including free public Wi-Fi, sensor parking, smart street lighting and a co-working and innovation hub.

"A smart community puts people at its centre, and is about improving liveability, social and environmental outcomes, introducing sustainable practices, streamlining processes and creating economic opportunities," Mr Sharp said.

"The challenges faced with COVID-19 has really highlighted how valuable digital technology and innovation can be to our community.

"There's no better time than now to 'get smart' and think about how we can learn to live smarter, adapt to the changing world around us and think what might be possible for our community's future."

The Smart Community Roadmap will be integrated with council's existing corporate strategies and plans across all areas, including the development of the THINK 2050 Community Strategic Plan to directly deliver on agreed local community and industry needs.

"To assist us in developing the Roadmap, we've engaged the services of Delos Delta, who have worked with a number of regional council's, assisting them in planning and making smart community initiatives a reality," Mr Sharp said.

Managing director of Delos Delta, Brook Dixon, said smart technology is driving rapid improvements in local services for communities around the world.

"We look forward to working with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to make the most of these opportunities that will ultimately mean better local services, more local opportunity, and improved economic, social and environmental outcomes," Mr Dixon said.

Residents can be involved by completing the Get Smart survey by Tuesday, May 26 on council's website haveyoursay.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/smart-community or by registering to attend a Smart Community Webinar on Tuesday, May 19.

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