The work

HutSix developed a custom app for MacDonnell Regional Council (MRC) that enables streamlined data collection and reporting across remote communities in Central Australia. With offline functionality and culturally sensitive, icon-driven interfaces, the app bridges literacy and connectivity gaps, improving governance and creating job opportunities on Country.

The Challenge

The MacDonnell Regional Council (MRC) needed a way to efficiently collect and report data from their community programs, MacYouth and MacSafe, across 13 remote Aboriginal communities.

Varying technological skills, limited connectivity, and language barriers made data collection challenging, impacting the quality and timeliness of reports required by funding bodies.

The Solution

HutSix developed a tailored, centralised app with two unique interfaces: a graphic-based, icon-driven one for MacSafe to overcome literacy challenges, and a streamlined data logging system for MacYouth.

The app is designed to function primarily offline, syncing data to a cloud server whenever devices reconnect, allowing seamless data collection and reporting between field staff and the MRC head office in Alice Springs.

The Impact

The app has transformed reporting for MRC, enabling accurate data capture and compliance with best practices in governance.

Field staff can now easily log data, significantly enhancing MRC’s ability to manage programs effectively while empowering employees with accessible technology. By bridging the digital divide, the app supports job creation on Country and strengthens MRC’s role in community development.

Continuous Improvement

HutSix continues to work with MRC to ensure the app adapts to evolving community needs, including potential future integrations and offline feature enhancements. This collaborative approach ensures MRC’s technology remains a powerful tool in advancing opportunities and connectivity across remote communities in Central Australia.