Beachgoers are to be looked after better this summer following a successful pilot project which saw smart technology help lifeguards more accurately predict beach conditions.
Announcing the expansion, the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Victor Dominello said the Smart Beaches project will provide real-time data to almost 50 beaches in NSW.
Mr Dominello said $1.6 million had been allocated to expand the project beyond the Northern Beaches and Lake Macquarie to five new council areas up and down the coast.
“We’ll be using wave detection buoys, artificial intelligence cameras and surf rescue boards fitted with GPS technology to gather accurate data on beach conditions so our lifeguards can be better prepared for the busy summer ahead,” Mr Dominello said.
“These smart devices will provide real-time readings on tide conditions and wave patterns, as well as help predict how many people will visit the beach, how long they will stay and the most popular times for a swim,” he said.
“The Smart Beaches project means beachgoers can feel safer at the surf, knowing our lifeguards have the latest data on hand to be better prepared for dangerous conditions and prevent incidents both in and out of the water.”
Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman said the trial’s expansion meant more councils would benefit from the new technology.
“The data insights help councils make better decisions about when and where to roster lifeguards, decisions that could ultimately save lives,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“As a result, this program will now be expanded to beaches in Randwick, Central Coast, Wollongong, Newcastle and Sutherland,” she said.
