Water Management Technology

WATER MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY
Page: 79

Mr RICHARD TORBAY (Northern Tablelands—Speaker) [6.13 p.m.]: Undoubtedly one of the major issues facing us this century is the more efficient use of resources, and in particular water. The profligate practices of the past are unsustainable and that is brought home to us every day with the news of drought, failing river systems, irrigators in trouble over supply, and towns and cities placing every restriction on water usage. One of the mantras coming out of the climate change debate is that new technology and clever thinking will rescue the situation. In a sense this is already happening. A project in my electorate is at the forefront of innovative thinking that drives change. RMTeK, a company based in Armidale and driven by four former academics from the University of New England, has developed a server-based solar and wireless monitoring device for use in remote locations. Its core product, RMCam, is a solar-powered industrial controller-camera unit with high quality optics running over Telstra's NextG network.

A major part of this technology is the capacity to collect data and effect control at a remote site in real time. The company, which commenced operations almost two years ago, employs seven full-time staff and has already established strategic partnerships with Telstra, Canon Australia, Inland Technology and manufacturing partner RF Industries. Commercial trials are established and operating with Country Energy, the Australian Railtrack Corporation, Clyde Agriculture, Auscott Pty Ltd, Gosford City Council, Executive Oasis and the New South Wales Office of Water Hydrometrics Group. There is a great deal of interest in this project because the cameras can be placed strategically in locations that are difficult and expensive to monitor. For example, farmers can visually monitor their irrigation systems on screen, make adjustments through the data that is supplied and, as a result, save water, money and time.

The cameras measure a full range of water quality measurements and other data that make the remote control management possible and effective. Weather stations can also be attached and return data in real time. The technology applies equally to rail and road systems where potentially dangerous rock falls or other incidents can instantly be identified and measured to provide work teams with the information they need to undertake repairs quickly and efficiently. In the construction industry innovative accommodation provider Executive Oasis is using the technology to reduce carbon emissions by remotely monitoring its Narrabri development, drastically reducing travel and saving time. RMCam operates with or without mains power and does not require fixed communication lines as it operates over Telstra's NextG network. It provides vision that can pan, tilt and zoom live, or it can patrol preset positions of interest, building an historic database of images and supporting data for referencing.

RMCam can provide real-time notification of changes to sensors attached to the unit. It collects and transmits a range of hydrometric and other environmental data for analysis. It can switch and control devices at a remote location and verify the change of state through vision captured by the unit. It reduces travel and labour costs associated with routine checking tasks. Former academics Chris Weber, Bradley Scott, Brendan Doyle and Warrick Forbes have developed this technology through university-based research work over many years and they continue a close association with the University of New England's Institute of Rural Futures, the Precision Agriculture Research Group and the Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information. They have received good feedback from clients who have used the technology in a wide variety of locations.

Its application for monitoring water use on farms and in river systems is of prime importance. Many communities, agricultural enterprises and natural environments dependent on a plentiful supply of water are now in crisis as that supply diminishes from dry weather conditions and overuse. While we can do little about the weather, we can, through technology such as this, make much better use of the water that is available. The other good outcome of this technology development is that it will create more jobs. The company is developing whole-farm water-balance measurement software to partner the RMCam units, and has estimated that a 2 per cent adoption of the technology among irrigation farmers will create 170 new jobs over the next five years. In economic terms the flow-on effects through efficiencies would be substantial. I believe that RMTeK has applied for some assistance from the Industry and Investment NSW and I am advised that discussions with the Minister's office have been positive. I am confident that this project will receive government support.