New website for reporting municipal issues

OneService.sg complements app of the same name released early last year

From pests to potholes, residents can now report all sorts of municipal issues on a new website.

OneService.sg, launched yesterday, lets users pick a category, locate the issue on a map, upload photos and submit the report.

Developed by the Municipal Services Office (MSO) and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) in partnership with government agencies and town councils, the website complements the OneService mobile app which was launched last year.

On the site, residents can also find information about their neighbourhood, such as dengue and Zika clusters and block-washing schedules, as well as locations of services such as Housing Board branches and residents' committees.

A Case Map feature gives an overview of feedback cases reported via the OneService website and app. Users can check if an issue has been flagged before submitting their own report, hence reducing duplicates.

"Residents can be reassured that their cases are being attended to by the relevant agencies in a timely manner," said Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, who also oversees the MSO.

The MSO was set up in 2014 and, along with its partner agencies, received more than 60,000 cases monthly.

The OneService app has also been updated. Since the first version went live in January 2015, more than 51,000 feedback cases have been submitted, with the most common issues being illegal parking, noise, infrastructure maintenance, cleanliness and pest control.

Version 2.0 has two new features: Case Map, and an option for users to rate their experience.

The MSO is still exploring new uses of technology. For example, it is looking at linking its back-end system with those of town councils, so cases can be referred automatically.

The MSO has also set up a collaboration between the National Parks Board (NParks) and the IDA to develop a "grass-height sensor" that can check if a contractor has cut the grass to the required height, in an effort to save NParks officers having to physically inspect sites as often.

Similarly, the Singapore Land Authority and IDA have completed a demonstration of how drones and video analytics technology can be used to detect defects on state properties and land.

"This and the grass-height sensor, if proven successful, have the potential to be used for other agencies with land maintenance issues," said Ms Fu at yesterday's Municipal Services Awards ceremony at Gardens by the Bay.

Twenty groups of officers received team awards, while five officers received individual awards.

Among the winners was Mr Mohammad Nazeer Salleh, deputy officer-in-charge for residents at the Tampines Neighbourhood Police Centre. Upon receiving a resident's complaint about noise from the unit above, Mr Nazeer roped in the Housing Board and spoke to both households to resolve the issue.

When he learnt that the household upstairs faced financial difficulties, he referred the family to the relevant agencies for financial help.

"It is my duty to go further, even if it is not within my purview," said the 29-year-old officer.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 01, 2016, with the headline New website for reporting municipal issues. Subscribe