By https://www.abc.net.au/news/mackenzie-archer/106432808
Publication Date: 2026-06-01 20:34:00
The West Tamar region of Tasmania is known for its vineyards, cuisine, national parks and agricultural scene. It is also one of the fastest growing areas in the state.
Last week, in a community consultation paper, the council published a draft 10-year strategic plan in which data was “synthesized” by artificial intelligence (AI).
Kristen Desmond, executive director of the West Tamar Council, said the use of AI “allowed us to create a document with more depth at about a fifth of the price.”
West Tamar Council Executive Director Kristen Desmond (left) and Mayor Christina Holmdahl. (ABC News: Mackenzie Archer)
Ms Desmond said the process was very similar to hiring a consultant but took less time.
“If we asked a consultant to review 50 strategic documents and develop themes from them before even talking to people, that would be 12 months of work,” she said.
“AI synthesized (multiple) documents. Then we had seven targeted community workshops where the AI was able to…
