INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT WASTEWATER SPILLS AND REDUCE POLLUTION

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

TO PREVENT WASTEWATER SPILLS AND REDUCE POLLUTION

By using innovative technologies, water companies and councils can prevent wastewater spills and reduce pollution in the environment, as improved network visibility provides better monitoring of wastewater levels.

Wastewater spills are a major contributor to the contamination of freshwater and marine ecosystems, with spills into the sea impacting bathing water quality and posing serious health risks and damage to marine ecosystems.

Water companies often have poor network visibility as expensive remote monitoring equipment only covers crucial points, with responses to wastewater spills typically being reactionary.

Blockages and collapsed sewers often go undetected, with control rooms inundated with high level alarms during wet weather events, due to the impact of rainfall on wastewater network levels.

This results in environmental and reputational damage for utilities, increased expenditure to clean up spill damage, and fines issued by regulatory bodies.

A growing population, industrial demands on the water network, and a changing regulatory landscape mean utilities, and councils, are under increased pressure to control spillages to prevent pollution.

A PREEMPTIVE APPROACH TO PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Poor network visibility can be significantly improved by the mass deployment of IoT (Internet of Things) and low-power technologies to monitor wastewater levels in real-time. Improving network performance and forecasting can also help to prevent wastewater spills and reduce pollution.

When combining IoT technologies with smart machinelearning data analytics, it becomes possible to predict future spill incidents, as these platforms identify patterns and the capability of a pipeline to deal with an influx of rain.

Metasphere works with utilities, providing hi-tech IoT solutions to intelligently manage wastewater networks by combining wastewater level data with historic, current, and forecast rainfall data.

With the addition of machine-learning, utilities can now forecast up to 30 hours ahead to understand how a particular network will behave, whilst intelligent alarms allow control rooms to react to the most important spills.

Early warnings of future spills by identifying partial blockages, means blockages can be proactively cleared to prevent wastewater spills before they happen, and reducing the clean up for councils.

ZERO POLLUTION

Eliminating wastewater spills prevents fines for incidents that cause environmental and reputational damage.

Technology goes a long way to support utilities in meeting zero pollution targets, but the wider community also has a role to play to eliminate pollution, such as being aware of what goes into systems that could create potential blockages.

Metasphere technologies give utilities visibility of network performance, to help them prevent spills and reduce pollution by being able to respond quickly; preventing leaks and spills for a cleaner, greener world.

About Metasphere

As a wastewater application specialist business, Metasphere has been providing monitoring solutions to the global utility industry since the mid-1980s. The company liaises with all sectors of the industry, from major utility companies to environmental and regulatory bodies. Utilising latest technology, Metasphere delivers intelligent, innovative all-in-one telemetry solutions for full network visibility, performance and forecasting. Reducing telemetry ownership cost for customers and aiding in time-critical remote asset and system management. For more information contact info@metasphere.net.au or phone +61 2 9956 7407.

THE AUSTRALIAN COUNCILS

WORKING TO BOOST ENERGY EFFICIENCY

by Stephanie Nestor, Journalist, Council magazine Energy efficiency is a key concern for councils and their communities, but it goes beyond using less energy. It’s also about optimising how energy is consumed in public spaces to prevent energy waste, and in turn reducing carbon emissions. Here Council has collated a group of councils from around the country and explored what they’re doing to create more energy efficient communities.

Councils around Australia are funding and implementing energy efficiency projects to curb energy waste and improve communities.

Energy saving measures not only provide environmental benefits, they can also reduce costs and improve quality of life for residents.

For councils, energy saving initiatives can include ensuring new developments are energy efficient before construction, helping businesses reduce energy consumption or encouraging households to install solar panels.

Council has rounded up a group of council initiatives from across the country, which are helping communities become more energy efficient.

CARDINIA SHIRE COUNCIL – ENERGY EFFICIENCY HANDBOOK

Cardinia Shire Council has partnered with Federation University to create the Home Energy Improvement Handbook, which encourages physical changes to homes as well as behavioural changes.

The handbook is designed with households in mind, containing ideas and tips on how to improve energy efficiency, reduce household energy costs and improve thermal comfort.

The full handbook helps households understand where their energy comes from and how they might regulate consumption. This includes reducing energy use, generating their own energy with solar panels, or better understanding household electricity bills.

This initiative aims to not only help residents save money, but also reduce energy waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

It offers energy saving measures ranging from low-cost to high-cost, such as replacing technology and maintaining home features.

The handbook outlines measures according to their purpose, such as thermal regulation and reducing energy waste.

Additionally, the handbook details how households in Cardinia can install solar panels, wind turbines or batteries and what savings they can expect, as well as a guide to understanding electricity bills.

There is both the complete handbook and a two-page summary for quick reference available on Council’s website.

RANDWICK CITY COUNCIL – AUSTRALIAN ENERGY FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP

Randwick City Council has enlisted the help of the Australian Energy Foundation (AEF) to provide residents with advice about energy consumption and making their homes more energy efficient – even connecting them with suppliers that can help.

Randwick City Council, alongside eight other Sydney councils, worked with the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) to create Our Energy Future: The Renewable Energy Master Plan.

The plan aims to increase the proportion of renewable energy being used in the area.

After the plan detailed the need for community energy advisory services to be available, Council selected the AEF to provide such services for Randwick residents.

Energy advisors at the AEF have helped households understand what they need to do to make their homes more

energy efficient and referred them to suppliers that can help install the certain technologies/upgrades suggested.

The AEF has provided advice on areas such as solar panels, battery storage, insulation, LED lighting, hot water heat pumps, Home Energy Assessments and window films.

CITY OF ADELAIDE – FREE BUSINESS ENERGY ASSESSMENTS

The City of Adelaide is offering free energy assessments to 50 small businesses to assist with reducing energy costs and consumption, and providing businesses with rebates to cover the costs involved.

The technical energy assessment is free and helps businesses identify energy-saving opportunities for potentially saving costs on electricity and gas bills.

Businesses are then eligible for an 80 per cent rebate, up to a maximum of $5,000, to cover costs for implementing the energy saving measures outlined in their energy assessment report.

This program not only encourages businesses to save energy and money, but also recover from the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions.

Eligible businesses can be part of the accommodation, retail or food services sector. A variety of upgrades are available to businesses, such as equipment replacements, lighting upgrades, and hot water system improvements.

BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL – GUIDELINES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT EVENTS

Brisbane City Council has outlined guidelines for avoiding energy waste for groups holding public events, focusing on reducing energy waste and also helping groups prevent poor air quality.

The type and amount of energy used at an event and transportation can have a negative effect on air quality, with even small changes helping to reduce emissions and energy waste.

Brisbane City Council’s waste hierarchy outlines the first priority for energy use is to avoid wasting energy, with the guidelines suggesting on-site solar to generate power instead of using diesel generators. Using the most efficient generators and utilising the full rated load of power can also reduce energy consumption.

Wasted energy can contribute to not only higher costs but also pollutants. Another suggestion is to ensure the mains at privately-owned venues use clean energy or ask for the venue to individually meter the event.

All Brisbane City Council sites use 100 per cent renewable energy from GreenPower.

CITY OF SYDNEY – ENERGY EFFICIENCY BUILDING STANDARDS

The City of Sydney has implemented performance standards for new net zero energy buildings, aiming to incorporate these standards into the early stages of new developments.

The performance standards will improve energy efficiency for new office, multi-unit residential, hotel, shopping centre and mixed-use developments and refurbishment projects.

Council has also released the Planning for net zero energy buildings report which highlights embedding energy efficiency into the planning stage of new developments.

While councils may use planning and design tools which drive lower energy use, there are little market incentives for developers. Often the benefits of energy efficiency go to the asset owner and tenants through lower energy costs and bills.

Council’s report investigates how Sydney and Greater Sydney councils can optimise energy efficiency through on-site and off-site renewable energy, encouraging developers to consider the path to net zero during both the planning and design processes.

COUNCILS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Local governments have a key role to play in aiding businesses and households alike to become more energy efficient.

These initiatives highlight how even the smallest of changes can lead to Australians saving money on energy costs and reducing energy waste, making a lasting impact for communities across the country.

Why Australia needs HIGHER ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS for housing

by Dr Portia Odell, Director, Cities Power Partnership Local governments across Australia are leading the race to net zero communities, but poor energy efficiency standards, and poorly made homes, are dampening progress. Here, Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s largest network of local councils leading the way to net zero, discusses fresh research from the Climate Council. They highlight how Australians could be saving hundreds a year on their energy bills by living in a home with higher energy efficiency standards.

Living in a large nation with varying temperatures and climates, Australians don’t have much of a choice but to use copious amounts of energy to heat and cool their homes.

Low energy efficiency standards have left too many Australians living in poorlymade homes equated to “glorified tents”, which are stifling during summer and freezing in winter. In fact, houses that are too cold contribute to 6 per cent of deaths in Australia – double the rate in

Sweden, where winter temperatures reach minus 30°C.

These glorified tents are also expensive to run – Australian homeowners face some of the most expensive energy bills in the world, with as many as 85 per cent of Australians experiencing “bill shock” during 2020.

The energy efficiency of a home impacts how much energy is required to power the home, such as for heating and cooling. The better the energy efficiency, the less energy being used for the same tasks, and vice versa – saving on cost, energy and emissions. In the race to net zero emissions, electricity use matters.

Australia is now ranked 18 out of 25 of the world’s top energy users when it comes to energy performance, sitting behind Spain, France, the UK, Germany, China, Poland and Mexico on energy efficiency building standards.

For local governments, more energy efficient homes means residents are less exposed to ongoing financial pressure of energy bills, will experience better health outcomes and have protection from heat waves and cold spells.

The higher standards are also a tangible pathway for local governments to reach community net zero targets quickly and easily.

MAKING BUILDINGS EFFICIENT FOR THE FUTURE

Electricity generation is the biggest contributor to climate change in Australia, due to the majority of the country’s electricity being made by burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gas.

Making new Australian buildings more energy efficient will not only help communities cut emissions and address climate change, but would directly save homeowners hundreds of dollars every year in energy bills.

Recent Climate Council modelling shows a 7-Star all-electric home achieves a 25 per cent reduction in emissions, compared to the current minimum standard of a 6-Star all-electric home.

It also shows that building a 7-Star, all-electric house in Australia will save on average $450 per year on heating and cooling costs compared to a 6 -Star home, showcasing that residents in every part of Australia are better off under higher minimum standards.

It’s a no-brainer, and right now, Australia has the opportunity to make sure that everyone locks in the benefits of higher energy efficiency standards.

For the first time in eleven years, the laws that mandate minimum energy efficiency standards are being reviewed.

Under the National Construction Code (NCC), there is a proposal to increase from a 6-Star NatHERS standard for new homes to 7-Stars, with the decision being made by state and territory Ministers in July 2022.

This is a huge opportunity to improve the quality, comfort and running cost of Australian homes. Local governments can have happier, healthier communities, and reach emission targets sooner.

Fast facts

• For every new home built to 7-Stars, the emissions saved each year are equivalent to taking one car off the road for an entire year

• If all the heating and cooling emissions saved from building 7-Star homes were counted out to 2030, it would add up to total savings of 7.7 million tonnes; equivalent to a 12 per cent reduction on Australia's 2019 national residential emissions

• Economists calculate the economic benefits of avoiding these emissions over a ten-year period as being at least $90 million and up to $3.5 billion, depending on the social cost of carbon factored in

• Every new 7-Star home built in Australia uses a third of the energy needed to heat and cool a 1.5-Star home, these savings are significant given 80 per cent of Australian housing stock was built before the 6-Star standard came into effect

Residents in every part of Australia are better off under higher minimum standards. Image: Ben Wrigley, provided by Light House Architecture and Science.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DRIVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency is already being driven by local councils, for example Orange City Council is saving $485,000 in annual maintenance and electricity costs just by upgrading almost 5,000 streetlights to LED1 .

Lismore City Council has made a number of energy efficiency upgrades to some local pools and facilities – initiatives like energy efficient lighting, heat reflective paint and solar hot water systems. All up, these energy efficiency upgrades will save Council $144,500 in electricity bills each year, equivalent to around 622,280kw hours or 658t of carbon dioxide emissions2 .

These are just a few examples showing how councils that are part of the Cities Power Partnership – Australia's largest network of local councils leading the way to net zero – are sharing resources to supercharge local initiatives. A free program, Cities Power Partnership has over 165 council members across the country, representing 65 per cent of Australians.

The next step for many councils is tackling community emissions. Advocating for stronger energy efficiency standards can make a big dent in community hip pockets and emissions across the country.

HOW COUNCILS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN TAKE ACTION

∞ Get the community involved:

Community members can head to the Climate Council website to email their relevant Minister in support of them updating the National

Construction Code ∞ Lead by example: Implement energy efficiency initiatives in your council, to save valuable council funds and cut carbon emissions. Celebrate and share initiatives with your community to take them on the journey. If you need a hand, join the

Cities Power Partnership (for free) and pledge to take action on energy

efficiency. You will learn from dozens of councils who are also pursuing energy efficiency ∞ Profile high energy efficiency

homes within your municipality:

It can be challenging to garner community support for improved energy efficiency when residents have limited understanding on what it means for them. Help educate residents by profiling high energy efficiency homes and experiences of lower bills and greater comfort ∞ Contact your Building Ministers’

Forum representative directly: The voice of councils on improving the quality of Australian homes is very powerful. Find the contact of your

Building Ministers’ Forum representative directly, as well as the state or territory Minister for Energy who supports in making the decision, to let them know you support higher energy efficiency standards

State benefits of moving from 6 to 7-Stars as the minimum standard for new homes

State or territory

New South Wales

• All-electric 7-star homes in Sydney will save residents $225 per year in heating and cooling bills compared to a 6-star home • Enforcing the 7-star update by the end of 2022 will save NSW 1,798,041 tonnes in emissions by 2030, equivalent to a 10 per cent reduction of residential emissions

Victoria

• All-electric 7-star homes in Melbourne will save residents $407 per year in heating and cooling bills compared to a 6-star home • Enforcing the 7-star update by the end of 2022 will save Victoria 2,820,003 tonnes in emissions by 2030, equivalent to a 14 per cent reduction of residential emissions

Queensland

Northern Territory

• All-electric 7-star homes in Brisbane will save residents $119 per year in heating and cooling bills compared to a 6-star home • Enforcing the 7-star update by the end of 2022 will save Queensland 1,205,772 tonnes in emissions by 2030, equivalent to a 9 per cent reduction of residential emissions

• All-electric 7-star homes in Darwin will save residents $945 per year in heating and cooling bills compared to a 6-star home • Enforcing the 7-star update by the end of 2022 will save the NT 50,350 tonnes in emissions by 2030, equivalent to an 8 per cent reduction of residential emissions

ACT

Western Australia

• All-electric 7-star homes in Canberra will save residents $713 per year in heating and cooling bills compared to a 6-star home • Enforcing the 7-star update by the end of 2022 will save ACT 122,048 tonnes in emissions by 2030, equivalent to a 16 per cent reduction of residential emissions

• All-electric 7-star homes in Perth will save residents $337 per year in heating and cooling bills compared to a 6-star home • Enforcing the 7-star update by the end of 2022 will save WA 1,042,707 tonnes in emissions by 2030, equivalent to a 14 per cent reduction of residential emissions

South Australia

Tasmania

• All-electric 7-star homes in Adelaide will save residents $460 per year in heating and cooling bills compared to a 6-star home • Enforcing the 7-star update by the end of 2022 will save SA 495,134 tonnes in emissions by 2030, equivalent to an 11 per cent reduction of residential emissions

• All-electric 7-star homes in Hobart will save residents $453 per year in heating and cooling bills compared to a 6-star home • Enforcing the 7-star update by the end of 2022 will save Tasmania 159,943 tonnes in emissions by 2030, equivalent to a 14 per cent reduction of residential emissions

7-Star homes can reduce emissions for local governments. Image: Ben Wrigley, provided by Light House Architecture and Science.

THE FUTURE

OF BOOSTER SET TECHNOLOGY

“When we started to think about Esybox Max, we asked ourselves how to manage the evolution of the Esybox range. It was clear from the very beginning, it could not just be something bigger. We felt we had to bring forward the path of evolution, completely changing the rules of the game for booster sets in residential and commercial buildings. Esybox Max is the outcome of listening to and communicating with many different people who will be in direct contact with the product.”

Introducing a new concept and industry-first in the booster set industry, Esybox Max is an integrated pumping system for pressurisation in commercial building services. Available in two power sizes, it consists of modular elements that allow different configurations to cover the needs of medium/large apartment blocks and high buildings (even over 14 floors). Each unit consists of the single, double or triple connection base and the pumping units – a four-pump system is available with the additional kit to connect two double bases.

Large energy savings are achieved with the DAB inverter combined with a brand new permanent magnet motor.

DAB also designed completely new hydraulics, making it leaps ahead in terms of energy efficiency. But it is not just energy efficiency that is at the forefront of this new technology.

Esybox Max will improve the storage efficiency in the warehouse. Where there was once one booster occupying space, you can now fit three twin pump booster sets in its place. This allows people to store the full range on one pallet, meaning a customer can pick up an off-the-shelf booster solution of up to four pumps, the same day.

Keeping it flexible, DAB has the on-site assembly concept. So if you have difficulties getting to the pump's location, due to narrow stairways and corridors etc., you can choose to assemble your booster on-site which will only require moving smaller, lighter boxes into the location then carrying out a quick and easy assembly.

DCONNECT

The Esybox Max also offers full connectivity and control using DAB’s DConnect technology, which is built into the pump and offers many more advantages than typical BMS systems.

Performance, data storage and remote monitoring support users, and facility managers can control their pumps from anywhere, making sure that the running parameters of the pumps follow project specifications exactly and avoid any possible site issues for complete peace of mind.

1 Display 2 Inverter 3 Module Wifi/Bluetooth 4 Pressure sensor (delivery side) 5 Pressure sensor (suction side) 6 Non-return valve 7 Two Litre expansion tank 8 Impellers 9 Hydraulic connections 10 Fast connection tool 11 Water cooled permanent magnet motor 12 Handles

Each edition of Council magazine we choose one local government from across Australia to shine a spotlight on. Whether it's new infrastructure, an innovative technology project, a leading sustainability initiative or a community connection, we want to highlight the best of our local governments and share some valuable knowledge to other place makers across our nation. This edition, we spoke to the City of Gold Coast to learn more about what makes this iconic LGA.

CITY OF GOLD COAST QUEENSLAND

WHAT IS THE POPULATION SIZE AND LAND AREA OF THE CITY

QUICK OF GOLD COAST? The City of Gold Coast

FACTS has a population of 643,461 (according to ABS Estimated Resident Population 2021). From beaches to hinterland, the City’s area covers about 1,334km² of land, which incorporates 81 suburbs with a population density of 482.5 persons per square kilometre. There is 55km of coastline and over 2,200 parks covering more than 16,000ha in the region, plus a road network spanning 4,290km.

HOW MANY EMPLOYEES WORK AT THE CITY OF GOLD COAST?

There are approximately 4,000 employees working for the City of Gold Coast.

WHO IS THE MAYOR?

City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is a civil engineer by trade, having graduated from the University of NSW in the early 1980s. He started his career in the construction industry and later moved into the tourism and hospitality industry.

Boasting a strong business background, Mayor Tate has spent his time in office ensuring everyone knows that the Gold Coast is 'open for business'. This has seen certainty return to the City, which in turn has boosted confidence and created significant investment across the Gold Coast. Mayor Tate is leading a city that is embracing change and dreaming big.

His focus for the future is to build on the legacy of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games by focusing on the key areas of transport and digital infrastructure; health, education and knowledge, events, culture and business investment. Mayor Tate is committed to ensuring a future for the Gold Coast that includes a stronger economy, more jobs and protecting the City's enviable lifestyle.

Mayor Tate has been married to his wife, Ruth for over 41 years and together they have four children. The multi-cultural Mayor was born in Asia and is fluent in three languages.

WHO IS THE CEO?

Tim Baker was appointed as the City of Gold Coast CEO in February 2022. Mr Baker has extensive experience in government roles, having previously held a number of senior positions in the Tasmanian public service including Chief of Staff to Premier, Will Hodgman, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Tasmania. In his previous role, he managed approximately 50 per cent of Tasmania’s land and sea country, with responsibility for almost 2,000 employees, a vast asset base and including in excess of 20 commercial businesses and statutory entities.

WHAT IS THE CITY’S ANNUAL BUDGET?

The annual budget for the 2021/22 financial year that was announced in June 2021 was $1.83 billion. This was the City’s tenth consecutive low rates budget with an average general residential rate increase of CPI or below.

CAN YOU GIVE US A BREAKDOWN OF SPENDING FOR THE BUDGET YEAR AHEAD?

Each year, Council spends several months debating key focus areas for the annual budgets. This process – known as the Special Budget Committee – assists in finalising where the City’s $1.83 billion will be allocated. In 2022-23, the key focus areas will be transport, safety and sustainability.

WHAT IS THE CITY OF GOLD COAST’S VISION FOR THE COMMUNITY AND ITS FUTURE?

‘Inspired by lifestyle, driven by opportunity’ is the City of Gold Coast’s Vision. This City Vision informs strategic planning for the Gold Coast by continuing to protect the region’s enviable lifestyle and ensure future generations are proud to call the Gold Coast home.

The City's Corporate Plan, Gold Coast 2022, supports the delivery of the City Vision through three themes: ∞ The best PLACE to live, visit and stay ∞ PROSPERITY built on a strong diverse economy ∞ PEOPLE contribute to a strong community spirit

WHAT MAKES THE CITY OF GOLD COAST AREA SPECIAL?

The City of Gold Coast is the second most populous local government area in Australia and provides an enviable lifestyle with kilometres of beaches, hinterland ranges and national parks which can be enjoyed year-round. As the tourism capital of Australia with about one million visitors annually, the City features a vibrant arts and culture scene, natural wonders and world-class tourist attractions, restaurants and accommodation. Gold Coast is a City known for its lifestyle and diversity, with almost one in three residents born overseas.

DIVING WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THE REGION FACES, AND HOW DOES COUNCIL OVERCOME THESE? DEEPER Mayor Tate said the biggest challenge for the coast is maintaining the City’s lifestyle, while welcoming in excess of 10,000 new residents annually. The City Plan, supported by the SEQ Regional Plan, ensures the City retains around 50 per cent of its urban footprint as green or open space. This means future residential and commercial development needs to be built on either existing sites, or through sustainable and well-designed low, medium and high rise projects. “We have to build up – not out – as building up means we save precious green space and it also means we can position residential areas near our main public transport systems,” Mayor Tate said.

HOW IS THE CITY OF GOLD COAST ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE AND REACHING SUSTAINABILITY GOALS?

As one of the most biodiverse regions in Australia, the environment is a key consideration in every decision made at the City of Gold Coast. Some of our natural features include: more than 12,600ha of Ramsar-listed wetlands and islands, 4524.8ha of World Heritage listed Gondwana rainforests, 52km of open coastline with world famous surf breaks, 480km of rivers and streams along with 774ha of lakes, dams and canals. The Our Natural City Strategy guides the work we do to preserve these precious assets.

Mayor Tate (middle) at the Miami Aquatic Centre Official opening.

But this is only one aspect of the initiatives the City has undertaken, a small sample of them are below: ∞ In 2020 we were the first Council to collect a levy as part of Rates to help preserve wildlife, with two parcels of crucial wildlife corridors having been purchased by the City as a result of this program ∞ We have also recently endorsed a vehicle strike mitigation program to decrease the number of koalas and other wildlife being hit by cars each year ∞ 47 Council facilities have solar panels ∞ Ten electric vehicle charging stations have been placed in key locations around the Gold Coast and Council’s fleet has a number of electric vehicles ∞ We have expanded our recycled water network, enabling recycled water to be used in private and public green spaces ∞ We are the only Council in Australia with Recycle Street services at our

Waste and Recycling Centres

HOW IS THE AREA PREPARING FOR FUTURE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND HOW HAS IT BEEN COPING SINCE THE DEVASTATING FLOODS OF 2022?

The City has a dedicated Disaster Management Unit that is responsible for ensuring that the City of Gold Coast has effective disaster management arrangements to enable the City to mitigate, prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from disaster events.

Construction is underway on a new state-of-the-art Disaster and Emergency Management Centre that will ensure our staff are best placed to respond to future events.

Key features of the new facility include: ∞ Constructed to withstand a Category 5 cyclone ∞ Seven-day standalone resilience including backup power, technology, food and water ∞ Smart integrated technology, audio visual and ICT ∞ State of the art satellite connection

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT AN INTERESTING URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT?

In June, the City launched Wonder Reef, a world class dive attraction 2.5km offshore from the Spit, at a depth of 30m.

Its most prominent feature is nine buoyant ‘sculptural reef flutes’ individually tethered to the seafloor by reinforced concrete and steel pyramids.

Depths range from 10-30m, making it ideal for beginner and experienced divers.

The steel reef structures have been designed to attract and sustain a rich diversity of fish and other marine life and achieve positive environmental outcomes.

The nine reef structures, weighing more than 738t, will create a 32,000m3 reef habitat.

The $5 million dive attraction project, 2.5km offshore from Main Beach, is being delivered jointly by the Queensland Government and the City of Gold Coast.

WHAT IS AN EXCITING COMMUNITY PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE COUNCIL HAS COMING UP IN THE FUTURE, OR IS ALREADY UNDERWAY?

The City just opened a world class, $5.6 million skate park.

Pizzey Park Street Style Skate Park in Miami is a 3000m² park, equalling the size of seven basketball courts.

Designed following Olympic standards, the skate park will put the City on the international stage in the world of skateboarding and roller sports.

Gold Coast also recently launched the Streets of Remembrance pilot project honouring World War I service personnel.

Signs on 23 streets across the City have been rebadged to indicate the street either honours a World War I veteran or the family of someone who served.

An interactive map shows where the signs are, and a short history of the people honoured.

HOW IS THE CITY OF GOLD COAST EMBRACING DIGITISATION AND GROWING ITS TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES?

The current environment is complex, diverse, and changing. Expectations from residents, employees and stakeholders are increasing and the rate of change is accelerating. Technology is becoming embedded across everything we do and, in some areas, fundamental to the services we provide. The City provides over 780 different services to our residents, businesses, and visitors with around 150 of those manageable via self-service today.

Burleigh Beach in the Gold Coast.

Customer expectations have significantly evolved in the last few years, predominantly driven by rapid change in technology, and a demand to be able to source information and request services quickly. Customers want good service, and expect services to be offered digitally, and are increasingly looking for a personalised experience that is proactively tailored to them.

With 10 million touch points across a growing range of channels and systems, many not integrated, there are increasing challenges in scaling sustainably and optimising employee experience. In addition, COVID-19 has driven a change in the way we work, with employees now expecting to be able to work from home as part of their normal role.

City of Gold Coast is achieving success by: ∞ Implementing new ways of delivering business outcomes ∞ Putting customer and employee experience at the centre of design and investment ∞ Developing flexible and responsive technology models that allow us to be more nimble ∞ Modernising integration patterns to drive value and reusability of services ∞ Investing in initiatives that support channel-shift and operational scalability

The City’s new dive attraction.

FEATURES SCHEDULE

Spring 2022

Water management

Urban development

Community services

Sustainability

Smart cities Deadline: 22 July 2022

Summer 2023

Asset management

Civil construction

Recreation

Transport

Community design Deadline: 21 October 2022

Autumn 2023

Water and wastewater treatment

Waste management

Arts and culture

Roads and transport

Health and safety Deadline: 17 February 2023

Winter 2023

Planning and construction

Cultural engagement

Environmental protection

Mobility

Energy efficiency Deadline: 12 May 2023

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

Aerometrex .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................IFC

Angus Flexible Pipelines Australia ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39

AWMA Water Control Solutions...............................................................................................................................................................................................................42, OBC

Bürkert Fluid Control Systems...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................IBC

DAB Pumps Oceania............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 67

Dicker Data DAS.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................25

EcoTeq....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 57

Expertise Events...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Fimer Spa ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 43

Future Engineering & Communication Pty Ltd ..................................................................................................................................................................................................7

Grochem......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9

John Deere ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................29

Legacy Lighting ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 41

Mainmark Australia .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5, 28

Metasphere Australia ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................59

oOh!media................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 27

Sewer Equipment Company Australia.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 45