Armchair surveillance for irrigators and water authorities

New technology, developed by an Armidale company, will allow irrigators , government authorities and other operators to monitor water flows in remote locations on their computer screens.
The surveillance equipment is RMCam, a solar powered industrial controller-camera unit with high quality optics running over Telstra's NextG network.
It was developed by RMTeK, a company set up 21 months ago by four former academics from the University of New England.
In Parliament yesterday Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay said the new technology had multiple applications and in particular would lead to more efficient water use.
RMCam operates with or without mains power, does not require fixed communication lines and provides vision that can pan, tilt and zoom live. It can patrol pre-set positions of interest, building an historic database of images and supporting data for referencing.
It provides immediate notification of changes to sensors attached to the unit and collects and transmits a range of hydrometric and other environmental data for analysis. It can switch and control devices at the remote location and reduces travel and labour costs associated with routine checking tasks.
“It is remarkable technology because it can be placed in the most isolated locations and feed back images and precise data on call,” Mr Torbay said. “It has the capacity to cut water wastage because the measurements are so precise and enable monitoring at numerous locations within seconds.”
The MP said the company, which employs seven full time staff has already established strategic partnerships with a number of Australian leading companies.
“Weather stations can also be attached and return data in real-time,” he pointed out. “The technology applies equally to rail and road systems where potentially dangerous rock falls or other incidents can be instantly identified and measured to provide work teams with the information they need to undertake the repairs quickly and efficiently.”
Mr Torbay said the company had estimated that a two per cent adoption of the technology by
irrigation farmers alone would create 170 new jobs over the next five years.”
He urged the government to support the initiative.