City of Melbourne hires its first CDO

The City of Melbourne has appointed its first chief digital officer (CDO) to head up the city's newly formed Smart City Office.

Michelle Fitzgerald will take up the role, in the first appointment of a CDO in a Victorian local government.

Fitzgerald has a strong work history in digital strategy, having served in roles at PwC helping large Australian companies develop and define their strategies.

As Melbourne's CDO, she will be tasked with working to ensure Melbourne is a preferred location for technology and bioscience start-ups, driving the digital transformation of the city's own government services and helping shift Melbourne's infrastructure management towards a smart city model.

Commenting on the appointment, City of Melbourne CEO Ben Rimmer said all levels of government must embrace the opportunities and prepare for the challenges created by digital disruption.

"It is vital that we get this right if we are to maintain our livability and our economic prosperity," he said.

"Technological change is affecting the way we live, work and do business in our city and we must harness this change to take full advantage."

Image courtesy of Peter Mackey under CC