City get-smart strategy

$10m hi-tech spend for safer and less congested CBD

THE Darwin CBD will be safer, less congested and better for business after Darwin Council, the NT and Federal Governments agreed to spend a combined $10 million on hitech projects in the city.

A $5 million Federal Government grant, confirmed yesterday, will be matched with $2.5 million from both Darwin Council and the Territory Government and will see upgrades to street lighting, improved car parking, more security cameras and expanded public Wi-Fi networks.

The program is aimed at combating social, environmental and security issues with new technology.

Federal Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor said the program was aimed at supporting “clever ideas that can be replicated in other places, particularly in the outer suburbs of our cities and the regions”.

One of the proposals, for socalled “smart parking”, will involve sensors and a mobile phone app to help drivers find empty car parks more easily, reducing congestion.

The sensors are expected to cover 800 on-street parking bays and 750 bays in multistorey carparks.

Public Wi-Fi networks will also be rolled out to make the city more friendly for tourists and shoppers.

Mr Taylor said the funding would help create “a more vibrant and liveable city” and help revitalise the CBD.

NT Senator Nigel Scullion said: “I’m really pleased the Australian Government is part of this transformative project for Darwin.”

High-definition security cameras will cover entry points to the city and nightspots so police can better track crime.

The new cameras will allow town planners to analyse traffic flow as well as pedestrian and bicycle routes.

In its application, Darwin Council said the camera network would “assist authorities to address road trauma, crime and inform town planning”.