A device that retrofits onto existing infrastructure to deliver remote, real-time updates on water levels at road crossings is one of 15 innovations being considered in Phase 1 of the Minns Labor Government's $3.3 million Natural Hazards Detection System (NHDS) program.
The program, led by the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer in collaboration with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, will test a broad range of innovative technologies to reduce the cost and impact from disasters caused by natural hazards.
The funded projects include technology which can be mounted directly onto flood depth water indicator signs on NSW roads and transmit data to emergency services, AI and night vision-enabled imaging, a stratospheric blimp-based imaging system and a network of sensors to measure soil and fuel moisture for fire management.
Successful Phase 1 recipients will develop their technologies and can apply for Phase 2, in which they will be deployed and rigorously tested at pilot locations in at-risk Local Government Areas identified by the NSW State Emergency Service and NSW Rural Fire Service.
The NHDS program is an outcome of the 2020 Bushfire Inquiry and 2022 Flood Inquiry to use new detection technology to improve the identification and warning of impacts of natural hazards.
For a full list of recipients and further program details, visit: https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/natural-hazards-detection-system
Quotes to be attributed to Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib:
"We are investing in technologies and infrastructure to improve the way we communicate and respond to disasters, in the face of increasing risk from more frequent and intense natural hazards.
"By testing cutting edge technologies and new early warning systems, we can improve the way we predict and provide disaster warnings, and this program is yet another way we are finding solutions that work for our emergency services and the communities of NSW."
Quotes to be attributed to Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong:
"The National Hazards Detection System program is another example of the Minns Labor Government partnering with innovators to tackle the biggest challenges faced by our state.
"These exciting new technologies can make positive change in the lives of those most directly impacted by disasters caused by natural hazards.
"The Government is investing nearly $80 million to implement our Innovation Blueprint to cement NSW as the best place to innovate, connect with investors, and scale a business, which includes $20 million for the Emerging Technology Commercialisation Fund to drive long term growth and productivity in Government priority areas, such as housing, Net Zero and energy transition and local manufacturing.
"With these investments, the Minns Government is supporting the next generation of researchers, scientists and other innovators to generate both social and economic benefits for NSW."
Quotes to be attributed to Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin:
"With the constant change in our climate, floods and bushfires are occurring more frequently and we have a responsibility to ensure our communities are better prepared and more resilient to their impacts.
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to protecting communities by ensuring they have adequate time to evacuate, and new hazard-warning technologies such as these will go a long way to delivering that.
"Having enough time to plan evacuation routes could save lives, and in locations such as the Northern Rivers and the Hawkesbury Nepean, give farmers advanced warning to move livestock to higher ground."
Quotes to be attributed to Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte:
"These innovative technologies are changing the thinking on how we might best respond to natural hazards in the future.
"By supporting these companies to further develop and test their systems and devices, we will be able to provide real-time solutions for the prediction and management of both fire and flood hazards for NSW communities and emergency services."
