Our Vocational Visit to Sunshine Coast Council's Smart Centre was - to say the least - eventful and eye opening. Some 26 members were present, enjoying breakfast supplied by the Chilli Jam Café; almost 75% stayed for coffee when we adjourned to ... the Chilli Jam Café.
President Elect Bernie, in her capacity as Vocational Services Director organised everything and manned the desk to welcome us all, PDG Alan proposed the International Toast, and President Peter presented his report and invocation, before Bernie introduced us to Jacqui Gray who is the Smart Centre Officer for the Council.
What happened to Cassie just before stays at the Smart Centre!
Read on to find out more
The Smart Centre and Living Lab showcases real-time results and examples of the smart city technology currently being tested. Technologies range from parking apps and free high speed public Wi-Fi to transport information and environmental water sensors providing data in real time. Jacqui gave us examples of why testing is needed (salt and algae killed one device in 15 days), and of potentially outstanding infrastructure provided to power the smart city and Council offices (communications network backbone) and which is now being considered as a rentable asset.
Council has already achieved a number of Smart City milestones. These include:
- Australia's first automatic waste collection system for the Maroochydore city centre
- free public Wi-Fi across the region, activated in March 2016 and will continued to expand
- opening the Smart Centre and Living Lab for public to see trialling new technologies such as waste bin sensors, parking space availability sensors, digital flow meters and dimmable LED lights and learn more about the Smart City Framework
- hosting HackFest community event to create publicly available apps
- being named an International Smart 21 City for 2017 by the worldwide Intelligent Community Forum
- the Sunshine Coast Council app, available for Android and Apple, which includes parking space availability in real time
- using 3D modelling with high-levels of accuracy to implement organisational mobility programs and develop the award winning Disaster Hub
- installing underground and wireless communications networks and designing smart poles for installation in Caloundra South, Maroochydore city centre and streetscaping projects.
Various reports followed:
- Gerry is looking for BBQ helpers after Boxing Day, on 27 December
- Darryl and Gordon are looking for a number of our Rotarians to be present in uniform on Friday (today for Reel subscribers) at Dan Murphy's for the Dan Murphy Golf Day draw at 5pm
- Lyn reported on the success of STEMM: 16 graduates this year brought the total to 186 (out of 221) girls who have graduated and moved on to the higher education or the workforce
- Deborah - before moving into her Sergeant's role (pictured) - proudly reported that $375 worth of Chilli trees were sold at the Ignite Chilli Festival to benefit STEPS. See some photos here
And finally ..,.
Does Cassie dance?
If you cannot access the video, click here