Using the DCS Live updates listing block

Updated 24 March 2025 00:57

Caitlin Anderson

The Live updates listing block provides customers with a familiar way to access the most up-to-date or key information about an emergency or event.

On this page

Before you start

A micro-content needs to be created using the Add Live Updates Blog before the live updates listing can be created.

Content editors will be assigned to manage the feed and will be responsible for curating content for the duration of its use.

Use the component in an emergency event, for example floods or Varroa mite.
Use the component for an event organised by the government, for example Anzac Day, Sydney Festival and New Years Eve.
Use the component for a remembrance or commemorative period, for example the death of the Sovereign.
Archive or close off the component after the emergency or event has finished.
Signpost the page after the component has been archived or closed off.
Refer to the Social media guidelines for further information on what media sources may be posted on government channels.
Monitor content sources from media (ABC, SBS), Emergency Services (Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance, NSW Police, NSW Rural Fire Service and the NSW SES), Local/State/Federal Government departments and agencies and other services (Australian Red Cross, Bureau of Meteorology, Live Traffic NSW, Service NSW and Air Quality Concentration Data).

Do not embed Facebook posts or videos as the content will be cut off in mobile view. If a link to a Facebook post or video is essential, use relevant copy and a direct link to the post or video on Facebook.
Do not include alerts, warnings or advice that could be superseded in the short term and create a risk to the user.

Navigate to Manage > Content > Add micro-content > Live updates blog
Enter a Label for the micro-content
Enter any descriptive Content
Optional: In the Read more section, enter the URL of the associated micro-content.
Optional: Enter Link Text to give the link a descriptive title
In the Tags tab select your editorial group.
Important: The Topic chosen here will be what gets shown when selected on the Topic values in #6 below. For example, all microcontent on this page is tagged 'NSW Government'. Only microcontent with this tag will be shown. A list of tags currently available on the CMS.
Save

The Live updates listing block can only be used on Landing pages
Create section of desired width/layout
Add block
Select DCS Live updates listing block
Give the listing a Title
Search for Liveupdates Topic Value. Insert the topic tage that was selected on #7 above. This is an important parameter to include as it will be what selects the desired microcontent.
Optional: In the Liveupdates navigation field, search for and select the label/s created in step 2 of "How to create a micro-content source". This creates a Table of Contents that allows users to navigate similarly to an anchor tag.
Optional: In the Liveupdates Pinned field, search for and select the microcontent label you would like to pin.

Visit DCS Live updates listing block to see how this works on a live page.

If you have any questions, or require assistance with anything mentioned on this article, submit a request via the webform.