Lake Macquarie, NSW
City in New South Wales
Australia
Lake Macquarie, NSW funds community-led resiliency projects through its Innovator Support Program
Lake Macquarie created the Innovators Support Program as part of a long-term roadmap to improve the environment and resident wellbeing. The program's first round of projects received $14,470 AUD in council funds. Local residents are leading initiatives to convert fishing line into public benches and recycled plastic into 3D printing materials. The council also funded a pop-up art gallery operated by a local artist that will stop at senior care centers.
Lake Macquarie, NSW
Australia
Lake Macquarie, NSW introduces smart locker technology at Charlestown Swim Centre
Twelve Yellowbox smart lockers were installed after patron requests for improved facilities. Yellowbox allows users to remotely open or close their lockers by entering four-digit codes on a mobile app. The app display shows the locker number, time of use, and facility information. Council teams track the facility's daily use by looking at locker reservation data. Lake Macquarie will evaluate locker use during the winter before expanding the technology to other facilities.
Lake Macquarie, NSW
Australia
Lake Macquarie, NSW encourages resident and business data projects with Community IoT Network
The Community IoT Network allows users to accomplish projects ranging from tracking fleet vehicles to collecting climate data. The city created a Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) freely accessible to local users. Sensors, GPS devices, and other connected devices store collected data in secure cloud storage offered by The Things Network. Council-sponsored workshops at the Hunter Innovation Festival taught attendees how to build their own sensors.
Lake Macquarie, NSW
Australia
Lake Macquarie, NSW collaborates with local shops on outdoor hospitality through VibrantSCENE pilot
Lake Macquarie businesses choose from the outdoor dining area and food van hamlet options when filling out the pilot survey. Council staffers work with outdoor dining participants to set up tables, heaters, and lights on council-owned properties. Food van operators partner with Lake Macquarie to establish temporary islands of outdoor dining during fixed hours. The nine-month VibrantSCENE pilot is free for participants and ensures adherence to public health guidelines.
Lake Macquarie, NSW
Australia
Lake Macquarie, NSW enhances lifeguard responses to beach safety issues with Smart Beaches pilot
Lake Macquarie and Northern Beaches produced comprehensive local data by adding smart technology to four beaches. High-resolution cameras, facility sensors, and GPS trackers in flags follow trends in patron activities. Upgraded weather stations assist local officials in anticipation of storms, winds, and temperature changes. Smart Beaches also worked with lifeguards to align incident responses through online reporting and activity tracking.
Lake Macquarie, NSW
Australia
Northern Beaches, NSW
Australia
Lake Macquarie, NSW creates Let's Go Solar program for community renewable energy investments
City officials and Pingala Cooperative recruited local organizations interested in solar power to reduce carbon emissions. Applicants were locally based and demonstrated consistent energy use. Pingara invited community investments in approved projects involving these organizations. Residents purchased up to $1,000 AUD at $250 AUD per share with potential dividends of up to 8% per year. Allambi Care built a 60kW rooftop system as the inaugural participant in Let's Go Solar.
Lake Macquarie, NSW
Australia
Lake Macquarie, NSW adds video interview technology to accommodate job applicants during COVID-19
Lake Macquarie adopted video interviews after receiving hundreds of applicants for each full-time city position early in the pandemic. Qualified applicants record and submit their answers to interview questions. Each applicant completed a test video before recording their final responses. The city's human resources team credits the technology with increasing candidate comfort with questions and expediting hiring timelines.
Lake Macquarie, NSW
Australia