Geelong is the
first city in Victoria to install SMART.NODEs and just the eighth in the
country, joining cities such as Sydney and Brisbane to host the technology.
The eight
SMART.NODEs positioned along the Waterfront replace outdated, cluttered and
disconnected street poles.
The technology
in Geelong’s SMART.NODEs includes;
- Smart controlled LED lights, which
are energy efficient and cost effective; - Free public WiFi – providing free
access to the internet; - USB charge facility – allowing people
to stay connected and contactable; - Plug-in power and high-speed internet
access – for improved events; - Data analytics on use of space – for
evidence-based public space planning; and - Public address system – to reach
people with need-to-know information.
The innovative
design of the SMART.NODEs ensure they blend in rather than stand out. The
technology is housed within the pole to maintain our attractive public spaces.
This
consolidated approach allows for the better management of technology in public
spaces, over time.
This is one way
the City of Greater Geelong is fulfilling our Clever and Creative Vision to
become “A leader in developing and adopting technology”.
The information
SMART.NODEs provide help us to better understand our City. This supports the
development of evidence-based decisions and better-informed policies.
This benefits
for Greater Geelong are vast and include:
- Maintenance of attractive public
spaces – award winning design which houses technology within poles to blend
into the environment; - Providing the community with useful,
clever and creative technology- free public WiFi and phone charging stations; - Improved sustainability – an LED bulb
can cut energy consumption (& cost) by over 80 per cent when compared to
conventional lights; - Data driven decision making – allows for
service improvements including public space usage and parking patterns; and - Adaptable – the technology is fully
customisable and can easily be changed or added to over time, as our City
continues to grow and adapt.
The creator of
the technology, ENE.HUB, was awarded the Good Design Award in 2017 for
outstanding design and functionality in the category of hardware and building.
ENE.HUB are
winners of multiple design accolades having also won a Smart City Award for
their Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens ‘Connected Gardens’ project.
ENE.HUB is a
fully integrated provider of Smart City As A Service who works with Land
Authorities to deliver the entire scope of a Smart City.
The project was
made possible thanks to the Federal Government Smart Cities and Suburbs Program
round one funding of $415,000.
The
following quotes can be attributed to Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher:
The new
SMART.NODEs’ clever design and game-changing technology support Geelong’s
global recognition as a UNESCO City of Design.They are a
great example of the City’s commitment to use creativity to build a more
sustainable, resilient and inclusive community.
The
following quotes can be attributed to Cr Trent Sullivan:
The City is on
its way to becoming a leader in adopting smart technology, thanks to the
installation of these new SMART.NODEs.The new technology
provides greater connectivity for the community, whilst also helping to
maintain our beautiful Waterfront and keeping energy costs low.
