Smart Western City Program

We are supporting every organisation participating in the smart city by:

• Delivering policies and guidance materials like the Cyber Risk Management Framework, to apply to all projects and organisations deploying and managing smart technologies across the City.
• Including digital connectivity infrastructure in master planning and establishing planning requirements in instruments like Development Planning Controls to equip the City with digital plumbing.
• Augmenting and testing data sharing platforms like the Spatial Digital Twin, so it can perform as a workbench for the planning and operations of the Western Parkland City.

We have been investing in the Smart Western City Program by delivering pilots, using co-contributions from the Smart Places Acceleration Program.

Pilots help us test technology solutions, data management approaches and service models; build capability; and establish an evidence base for future, larger investments.

Pilots underway include:

• Asset AI ®: A project with the potential to assist all levels of NSW Government to have an overview of the condition of roads in near real time to help streamline road maintenance tasks.
• Smart Digital Kerbside:  A trial to develop a digital inventory of kerbside space allocation with real time analytics of its use.
• Envisioning in 3D: A partnership between the NSW Government and Camden Council to deliver a dynamic 3D model of the entire area to assist local planners. This will help better engage communities in local planning.
• Digital Trust for Places and Routines: A pilot of an open-source communication standard to increase transparency and accountability for digital technology in public places. It’s a way of making the data collection that is often invisible more visible.
• OPENAIR: For the first time in Australia, this project will establish a best-practice methodology for all aspects of council-led air quality monitoring, which will result in healthier communities throughout NSW.
• Park’n Pay: The Park’n Pay app is helping deliver a consistent customer parking experience. It collects anonymous parking data to help councils plan for the future needs of communities.
• Digital Equity and Inclusion Insights Program: This project will help to understand the depth and breadth of digital exclusion across the Western Parkland City; and will provide access to new, targeted programs and guidance to help close the growing digital divide.

These pilots build on the test and trial initiatives delivered through 2020 as part of market engagement, which included:

• Using Artificial Intelligence CCTV to help detect defects in stormwater and wastewater assets. This was really successful. The technology found 1900 more defects than older methods – with between 80% and 86% accuracy. On top of this it was much, much faster than traditional pipe inspections.
• Kitting out a park in Wollondilly local government area with smart poles, public Wi-Fi and sensors to monitor use and activity. The insights generated are helping Wollondilly Council to manage the park and helped council manage compliance with COVID restrictions.
• Using drones to help with swimming pool inspections and asset monitoring – two time consuming and resource intensive local council activities.