The Minns Labor Government is delivering on our election commitment to better protect communities from natural disasters, launching a world-class field trial of seven early warning technologies as part of the $3.3 million Natural Hazards Detection System Program.
The 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.
These systems are now being piloted in the Shoalhaven and Clarence Valley Local Government Areas, marking a direct fulfilment of the NSW Government's pledge to support existing systems with sophisticated, real-time sensors that detect natural hazards earlier.
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
Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin said:
"We promised the people of NSW a world-leading warning system, and today we are delivering. As climate change makes disasters more frequent, we aren't just rebuilding - we are outsmarting the next emergency.
"These aren't just gadgets, they are lifelines. By leveraging AI and satellite-linked sensors, we are giving our first responders and our families the most precious commodity in a disaster: time."
Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"It's fantastic to see technology, many of which are built here in NSW and across Australia, being put to work to protect our communities.
"This Program shows how supporting technology pilots can actively drive innovation, helping local companies develop world‑class solutions for NSW and support our broader vision for innovation-led procurement as outlined in our Innovation Blueprint.
"These systems aren't just impressive pieces of engineering; they're about saving lives. By giving families and first responders precious extra minutes to act, they will make a real difference when danger strikes. As disasters become more frequent, we're backing NSW innovation to keep people safe."
Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said:
"The NHDS program supports the development and testing of exciting new technologies to make NSW safer from fires and floods.
"Equally importantly, by bringing together innovative small businesses and NSW Government emergency agencies, the NHDS drives
