Connecting the community with Quay Street technology

Published on 12 May 2017

Riverfront visitors can now enjoy free Wi-Fi along with a host of new digital features that have been built into the new ‘smart’ poles on Quay Street.

Digital LED banners, Façade lighting, music and smart cameras are all rolled into one in the new ‘IntelliStreet’ technology that is an Australian first, right here in Rockhampton.

Mayor Margaret Strelow says it represents a paradigm shift in street lighting where ordinary light poles can be transformed into cutting edge technology.

“Our beautifully lit heritage facades have made a significant improvement to our city by night, and now the Wi-Fi and recently installed digital banners have truly given our riverfront a technology overhaul,” Mayor Strelow said.

“Not only are the poles energy efficient, but all of the features can be programmed and controlled instantaneously with a smart device.

“The lights can dim up and down or synchronise to music and the digital signs will allow us to display messaging all year round, particularly for events.

“As we test out the new features, some people may have recently noticed blue lights glowing on top of the poles, which is just one of the many options we can select for lighting.”

Local company, Stanke Electrics, were trained to install the highly specialised technology and have made significant progress mounting the poles onto the second stage of Quay Street, known as ‘Stage 1B’ of the redevelopment, between Denham Street and William Street.

“We anticipate that Quay Street will fully re-open in July in time for the River Festival when we will be very excited to put on an absolute show using all of the smart features,” Mayor Strelow said.

“Customs House in particular will be a show stopper when its façade is lit up every night.

“Eventually we will also attract university students to the riverbank where they can connect to the university’s EduRoam Wi-Fi network that is only available on campus at the moment.

“The best part is the ability to expand our services through the smart poles as technology changes and as the city changes and people want more things; this is a good base product that will allow us to be adaptable and flexible.”

Quay Street, Riverfront, CBD smart technology includes

• Smart pole and LED lighting (24 installed in Stage 1a).  The pole illumination can be programmed and controlled remotely by a smart device. It also includes an integrated speaker for ambient music and civic messaging.
• Free public Wi-Fi (3 x Access Points in Stage 1a).  Also planned connectivity to the university’s EduRoam Wi-Fi network for university students.
• Smart CCTV (5 x cameras in Stage 1a).
• Digital Banners, 3 x ground mounted and 12 x pole mounted (1 x ground and 4 x pole mounted in Stage 1a).
• Heritage façade lighting.
• Smart parking sensors – installed in 508 CBD parking bays in the first phase, including Quay Street.