A Gateway is a web-based hub that facilitates immediate access to people, projects, resources and other information of value to all stakeholders interested in the themes or subjects that the Gateway represents.

A Gateway is, by definition, developed via a process of purposefully facilitated collaboration with the community involved. It is not an externally 'imposed' website.

A Gateway is a social enterprise; never a corporate, government or related platform for one-way information delivery.

A Gateway uses 'Web 2.0 technologies' like wiki's, forums, blogging, RSS feed aggregators, messaging, chat and customisable places for more focused conversations and sharing of information resources.

A Gateway is a web-based learning environment, where access is open and collaboration around the design, assessment and ownership of initiatives is supported.

A Gateway is about communication in any direction; not just from 'head office outwards'.

Gateways are emergent in design and content; the are in a continuous state of change as needs emerge and reconfigure.

A Gateway can be a bit like a virtual neighbourhood, with lots of smaller community groups operating and interacting around focused themes and with the other communities connected within the overall Gateway domain.

Gateways are a perfect solution for:

• Community-driven regional development

• Collaborative tourism initiatives

• Environmental and sustainability initiatives

• Education programmes

• Environmental information sharing and policy making

• The design and 'field testing' of regional plans

• Focused community building (youth, indigenous groups, special interest communities)