Clarence Valley and Shoalhaven Local Government Areas (LGAs) are undertaking a pilot trial of seven early warning technologies as part of the $3.3 million Natural Hazards Detection System Program.
The NSW Labor Government said in a statement the $3.3 million program ‘is designed to test innovative early-warning technologies and provides a platform for companies to prove to emergency management agencies that their solutions are effective and cost efficient’.
‘The seven chosen technologies are:
Vortex Micro Station (Aquamonix): A reliable, low-maintenance monitoring system that provides real-time data on water height, velocity, and temperature, including day and night imagery for flash flood tracking.
‘FloodCAM (Aquamonix): Advanced visual AI software that monitors water levels against safety thresholds and can automatically trigger local warning speakers, lights, or digital signs.
‘Citizen Intelligence Workflow (Kablamo): Enhancements to the Hazards Near Me app allowing users to securely submit hazard photos, which are then converted into validated, actionable intelligence for emergency agencies.
‘Spectra Water Level Sensors (Kallipr): Robust, vandal-resistant radar sensors designed for regional areas, using redundant communication methods and long-life batteries to ensure data flows even in remote locations.
‘Virtual River Gauge Project (NGIS): An AI-powered pilot program combining satellite data, rainfall, and cameras to deliver near real-time river heights and flood volume predictions.
‘FloodMate (Silicon Vandals): A rapid-deployment sensor network for flood-prone road crossings, providing real-time “water-over-road” data to support safer road closure decisions.
‘Samara (Silicon Vandals): Low-cost sensors that can be deployed by hand or air to provide early bushfire detection and live data on fuel moisture, temperature, and humidity in hard-to-access areas’.
‘The program responds to the 2020 Bushfire Inquiry and the 2022 Flood Inquiry which recommended the use of new technologies to improve flood and fire detection.
‘The program is being led by the NSW Reconstruction Authority and administered by the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer.
For more information on the technologies and program go to https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/nhds-pilot-grants
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