A mobile-phone text message could warn Queenstown Lakes district residents of emergencies or public health issues, as the result of a council initiative.
The district council is collating a database of mobile phone numbers for an "etxting" scheme, which will add another avenue to the ways the council informs the public.
District council communications manager Meaghan Miller said text messages would not replace other forms of communication.
"We will still inform the public through newspapers, radio, the council website and local noticeboard.
But this could be a way to spread the word faster.
"When the council recently had to issue boil-water notices for Hawea and Arrowtown, some residents asked for further means of communication from the council.
We have identified cellphone use as the way of the future, and as a method people would like to use," Ms Miller said.
She said the plan had been developed with council emergency management officer Brenden Winder, with the aim of increasing the council's reach in case of public health matters such as water conditions or in case of emergencies which could, for example, lead to road closures.
Phone numbers and indications of the relevant local area are the only information needed for the database, and Ms Miller said the council was very conscious of only using the information for the stated purpose.
"The database will be used respectfully.
"It is important people can trust the council not to pass [on] their phone numbers.
"We already have a database for those who want reminders of rate payments sent by text messages, but this will be kept separate from the emergency text database," she said.
The council had been setting up the database for some time, and it was put to use in February when the council had to ask the local community to urgently conserve water after a pump failure caused the water level at the Fernhill reservoir to drop dramatically.
"Our current small database of mobile-phone numbers was used to spread the word and ... to inform businesses; we saw a 50% reduction in water use within a short time."
Kingston Community Association secretary Margaret Gibson said people could sign up to the database either through their local associations or directly with the council.
"I think it is a good idea.
"A small community like Kingston at the edge of the district can easily feel a bit cut off in an emergency situation.
"This is just one of many ways to spread the word," Mrs Gibson said.
To sign up for the database, simply send the council an email to services@qldc.govt.nz with the name of your local community, the word etxt, and the mobile-phone number in the subject line - or call the council on (03) 441-0499.
