Geelong to play it smart with technology

A FEDERAL Government grant is set to switch on Geelong.

The city will use a $415,000 technology grant from the Australian Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs Program to install ‘smart street furniture’ to help further modernise the regional centre.

The City of Greater Geelong and private businesses will partner with the Government to install free high-speed Wi-Fi across the city, LED street lights to help reduce street crime, smart parking sensors to indicate parking availability, air and water quality sensors and more.

Corangamite federal Liberal MP Sarah Henderson said the project would drive innovation in Geelong and set the city up for “a digital future’’.

“The Creating a Clever and Creative City Region project further entrenches Geelong at the forefront of innovative technology and adds to our region’s growing advanced manufacturing industry and leading carbon technology research,” Ms Henderson said.

“One of the important capabilities of this technology is that it allows collection of real-time data on what’s going on around the city, which will give local planners a great headstart,” she said.

Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor said the grant would introduce a range of new technologies to Geelong.

“Smart street furniture will literally ‘switch on’ the city, meaning residents and visitors can easily plug in to a range of technologies — charging your electric car, digital signage to assist the all important tourism sector, street lights with sensors that react to anti-social behaviour,” Mr Taylor said.

The City of Greater Geelong and private partners also contributed $518,000.

“The Geelong region has a proud history of innovation, creativity, and smart technology — as recognised by Geelong’s recent induction into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network,” City of Greater Geelong chief executive Kelvin Spiller said. “So we’re delighted to be part of this very worthwhile project.’’