Townsville, QLD
City in Queensland
Australia
Townsville, QLD addresses communication issues with contractors through online management system
Council officials identified inconsistent communication of safety messages to contractors due to technical and structural limitations. Contractors approved for city projects register for the online system and receive messaging from relevant council teams. Health and safety messaging is developed during new monthly and quarterly meetings among department representatives. This process reduces workplace injuries through better collaboration among 2,500 contractors and 1,800 employees.
Townsville, QLD
Australia
Townsville, QLD works toward 2030 zero-landfill goal with its Love Food Hate Waste campaign
Townsville introduced the three-week challenge in response to a bin audit identifying 52% of bin waste as compostable. Participants completed a pre-challenge survey and signed up for weekly tips on how to waste less food at home. There is a weekly prize drawing with winners selected from those who post their food waste tips on the council's Facebook posts about the challenge. Residents are entered into a grand prize drawing for completing the post-challenge survey.
Townsville, QLD
Australia
Townsville, QLD tracks environmental changes throughout the city with LiXiA sensors
Council officials worked with the local company on deploying solar-powered sensors in urban and green spaces. Real-time data on metrics ranging from solar irradiance to water quality are sent to a dashboard for public use. Townsville builds on this deployment with community events where participants build their own sensors while learning about the environment. A community-wide sensor network supports city decisions about resiliency, energy use, and emergency preparedness.
Townsville, QLD
Australia
Townsville, QLD evaluates best methods for stormwater use with passive tree irrigation pilot
Townsville officials seek the most effective method for reducing potable water use and improving tree health. The one-year project evaluates how three irrigation methods divert stormwater from the Bohle River to trees along Mill Drive. Soil moisture sensors produce data for future comparisons of irrigation solution performance. Irrigation methods selected after the pilot's conclusion will help maintain the city's tree canopy while reducing polluted water sent to local waterways.
Townsville, QLD
Australia
Townsville, QLD monitors blue-green algae levels in its water supply with YSI sensors
YSI sensors were placed on two buoys at the Ross River Dam. Each sensor gathers information on algae concentration, water temperature, and pH levels in untreated water. Local officials receive daily updates from the sensors compared to weekly updates under the previous manual-testing process. Townsville quickly mobilizes treatment options like powdered activated carbon (PAC) based on sensor data, thus preventing toxins from entering the potable water supply.
Townsville, QLD
Australia
Townsville, QLD evaluates best methods for food and organic waste recycling during pilot
City officials selected 1,500 households in four suburbs for the one-year pilot. Participants in Burdell and Idalia gather their food and yard waste for weekly collection. Heatley and Vincent households place collected garden organics out for pickup every other week. Each participant receives a dedicated bin, kitchen caddy, and liners along with instructional materials. Ongoing surveys and workshops will shape how Townsville diverts the 46% of waste consisting of compostable materials.
Townsville, QLD
Australia
Townsville, QLD opens pipeline from local universities to public service with mentoring program
An initial cohort of 12 university graduates will spend two years working with council mentors. Participants will learn the ins and outs of public IT, engineering, and environmental health careers during their first year. The program's second year focuses on community projects that address pressing needs. Townsville will evaluate talent shortages after the program's 2022 kickoff to customize tracks for future participants.
Townsville, QLD
Australia