TRAILBLAZERS: Minister for Planning Matthew Guy, Barrett Higman, Nick Vlahandreas and Bill Sykes (MLA, Benalla) at the BAL app launch last Wednesday at the Eurobin Deer Farm. Photo: Simon Crase

AN award winning app designed internally at Alpine Shire Council was launched last week and is already benefiting residents.

Alpine Shire Council manager development services and amenity Nick Vlahandreas and geographic information system officer Barrett Higman created and developed the Bushfire Attack Level plan app last year, using specialised data technology, and this has resulted in high efficiency gains for everyone concerned.

Alpine Shire Council mayor Peter Roper gave the welcoming introduction to guests, informing all that council was committed to minimising the impact from bushfires and this new initiative would become a "key weapon".

Victorian Minister for Planning Matthew Guy attended the launch and spoke glowingly about the application after Mr Vlahandreas gave a short presentation and demonstration of the app as it would occur in the field.