\nThe City\u2019s\u00a0\u2018Envirosensing\u2019\u00a0network and Internet of Things (IoT) project, which will be officially launched today, is the culmination of three years of work to build one of the most advanced smart city\u00a0infrastructure\u00a0systems in Australia.
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![\"Capture5-(1).JPG\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/Newcastle-leads-the-way-with-smart-city-infrastruc\/Capture5-(1).JPG.aspx\" "\\"Launch")
The system is designed to measure a range of environmental conditions\u00a0including temperature, humidity, wind direction, air quality, water usage, soil moisture\u00a0and\u00a0solar irradiance.\nThe infrastructure also allows for the pilot deployment of\u00a0smart bin sensors, smart parking sensors and other smart city applications.
\nData\u00a0collected\u00a0by the sensors\u00a0can\u00a0help\u00a0the City\u00a0better understand and respond to issues such as urban heat island effect, air pollution, flood management and water sustainability, as well as monitor the\u00a0performance of urban systems and assets.
\nNewcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle\u00a0is leading the way when it comes to investment in and uptake of technology.
\n\u201cThe launch is a significant milestone,\u00a0marking\u00a0the completion of the base infrastructure\u00a0required to start deploying applications\u00a0that\u00a0not only\u00a0solve the city\u2019s challenges\u00a0but also\u00a0harness\u00a0exciting\u00a0opportunities,\u201d Cr Nelmes said.
\n\u201cAn example of how these sensors can be used is in combatting the\u00a0phenomenon of higher temperatures in areas with a lot of buildings and pavement, known as the Urban Heat Island effect.
\n\u201cStudies show that Urban Heat Islands are associated with higher pollution and negative health conditions, especially for the elderly and young children.\u00a0This technology will be integral to exploring possible actions to mitigate urban warming.\u201d
\nToday\u2019s launch will also showcase custom-designed adaptable sensor housings developed with local industrial design\u00a0outfit Design Anthology,\u00a0which are integrated into the city\u2019s growing smart pole network\u00a0and can be accessed by the City\u2019s research and industry partners to develop new technologies and help solve city challenges.
\nCr Nelmes said this\u00a0network\u00a0will establish\u00a0Newcastle as an experimental testbed for progressing research, prototyping\u00a0and entrepreneurial activity.
\n\u201cThe scope of this system\u2019s potential is as far-reaching as the imagination of the researchers and entrepreneurs we hope to attract to solve an open-ended range of challenges using sensing and data,\u201d\u00a0the Lord Mayor\u00a0said.
\n\u201cThis infrastructure will allow\u00a0us to\u00a0focus on optimisation,\u00a0efficiency\u00a0and evidence-based decisions\u00a0in our journey\u00a0towards becoming a smart, sustainable and liveable global city.\u201d
\nThe NSW Government supported the deployment of smart city infrastructure through a $5 million grant via the Restart NSW-funded Hunter Innovation Project. A partnership with the State Government will see the City of Newcastle invest an additional $2 million over three years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"