Ipswich’s commitment to digital innovation has seen it named one of the world’s Top 7 Intelligent Communities, days after it announced it would be taking ownership of street lights in new residential developments.
New York-based think-tank the Intelligent Communities Forum (ICF) applauded Ipswich’s Smart City Program at a conference in Taiwan. It is now in the running to be named the Intelligent Community of the Year in June.
““The City of Ipswich has chosen to lead an economic and social transformation agenda by educating citizens, fostering innovation and enabling new ways of working and living,” City of Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale says.
“We’ve been working hard to unlock the social and economic opportunities digital technology presents through the advancement of our Ipswich Smart City Program and this award reinforces that we are leading the way.
“We have developed a Smart City Program which takes a human-centred design approach, focusing on the needs of our community, industry, support services and visitors.
“Council also recently signed an agreement with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, which will see Ipswich be the location of Australia’s largest trial of co-operative intelligent transport systems technology including real-world trialling and large-scale deployment.
“And we are the first council in Australia to have presented three major public spaces as testbeds for Smart City technology and platforms allowing new solutions and opportunities to be implemented, assessed and potentially scaled in quick time.”
Meanwjhile, Planning, Development and Heritage Committee Chairman Councillor Andrew Antoniolli says major changes to the Planning Scheme means street lights and poles can be used to keep the community connected, enhance safety and deliver new digital technologies.
“Taking control of street lighting and poles means council will be able to incorporate various elements of the Ipswich Smart City Blueprint,” he says.
“Moving forward the lights may be used to improve mobile connectivity and data communications for residents.
“The LED lights themselves will also be brighter and more energy efficient than traditional street lights, improving safety and security.”