Greening it up with GREENLIGHT

Less paper, efficient processes, and greater accessibility are some of the benefits Ararat Rural City Council is reaping one year on from implementing the GREENLIGHT system.

Local businesses serving food, providing accommodation, and beauty services across Ararat Rural City are required to be a registered public business and attain a certificate from Council under the Food Act and Public Health and Wellbeing Act.

In an effort to simplify the administration of these registrations, Council introduced GREENLIGHT to streamline existing processes and provide a solution that makes it easier for business owners to stay compliant.

Ararat Rural City Council Chief Executive Dr Tim Harrison said GREENLIGHT has streamlined the way Council staff and businesses approach Environmental Health obligations.

“Council understands small businesses have enough on their plate to keep the door open and we want to reduce that burden,” Dr Harrison said.

“Moving things online meant business owners can update details relating to their business, pay their fees, and access their certificates and receipts when it suits them best.

“Greenlight also provides an all-in-one platform where businesses can easily communicate with Council and vice versa.

“With around 242 businesses across Ararat Rural City that require certificate renewals each year, Council has significantly reduced its paper use by at least 2,420 sheets - that’s more pages of red tape removed than War and Peace!

“What’s more is Council has significantly reduced the amount of paper used for business application renewals.

“Going digital has allowed council to benefit from streamlined processes, cost savings and better security of important documents.”