Next phase launched for Perth’s Smart Cities program

The City of Perth has launched the next stage of it’s Smart Cities program, implementing CCTV data and analytics, smart irrigation technology and smart lighting.

The program is partially funded through the Australian Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs Program, with the federal government and the City of Perth separately committing $1.3 million.

Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said the Smart Cities and Suburbs Program is increasing the take-up of smart technology across Australia, and encouraging collaboration across all levels of government to improve urban liveability and public safety.

“A suite of initiatives will be implemented including a trial of a CCTV data and analytics program in East Perth to support authorities in locating missing people, people of interest, unattended bags and future city planning, as well as initiatives to improve irrigation management and improve public lighting,” Mr. Tudge said.

Western Australian Senator Mathias Cormann said smart irrigation would benefit the environment by replacing traditional irrigation controllers with ’smart’ controllers, that communicate directly to a central control management system.

“The new irrigation management system uses local weather stations across the city to gather data including temperature, humidity, rainfall and wind speed, to enable calculation of how much water has evaporated from the city’s greenspaces,” Mr. Cormann said.

“This system enables the irrigation to be automatically adjusted to meet the watering requirements for each park, to ensure the city’s water use is more efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly.”

City of Perth Deputy Chair Commissioner Gaye McMath said new CCTV technology, including facial recognition software, will only be utilised upon request, and no database would be kept or linked to by the City of Perth.

“The software enhances the efficiencies of existing safety and security measures, which is in line with community expectations,” Ms. McMath said.

“The CCTV data and analytics project coincides with the installation of smart lighting in the East Perth precinct, which can be remotely adjusted where required to further enhance safety around the Matagarup Bridge and Optus Stadium on event days, particularly at night.”