A WCC app store

Stuff reports:

Look out, Apple, there’s a new player in the app store game – the Wellington City Council.

The council will launch an online store in coming weeks where people will be able to download smartphone and tablet computer applications, or apps, that showcase anything uniquely Wellington. It is thought to be the first council-developed app store in the country.

Council staff say the apps available will cover “things as simple as locating disabled toilets to things that we have yet to think of”. The initiative is part of a wider plan to turn Wellington’s aspirations of being a “smart city” into reality.

The council’s manager of information and technology, Channa Jayasinha, said about 12 apps would be available when the store opened. They would include the My Parx app that helps users explore city parks and reserves, as well as The Pack, which allows friends to keep track of each other and call for help on a night out.

That sounds a very cool initiative. There’s lots of useful apps a Council could have. Maybe one which tells you where the closest available carpark is?