New Smart Poles help shine the light on safety in the CBD

Published on 15 July 2016

Rockhampton’s Riverbank is set to light the way in safety standards of the future with new smart poles being installed in coming months.

This weekend the community will have the chance to check out the exciting new technology behind the Smart Poles at the Rockhampton River Festival.

In an Australian first, 60 Intellistreet poles will initially be installed along Quay Street, from William to Fitzroy Streets as the road construction progresses.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said Council’s passion to source innovative and new technologies as part of the Smart Way Forward Strategy will in turn provide safer streets for the community.

“We received an overwhelming response from residents during consultation last year to create a riverfront that is well lit and safe for CBD workers and families,” Mayor Strelow said.

“As a result, we have adopted the very best in technology as we create a new beginning for our iconic Riverfront.”

The poles will feature Wi-Fi, a speaker system to play civic announcements and atmospheric music during events or on any day of the week and is simply controlled at the touch of a smart device.

The poles will also illuminate the ground and Quay Street’s heritage facades in various colours, intensities, motions and patterns.

For emergency situations, lighting in the area will instantly increase and the speaker system will sound if the duress button on the pole is activated.

American multimedia firm, Illuminating Concepts, will work alongside local company Stankey Electrics, who was recently awarded the $2.1million contract to install the Smart Poles.  

East Street and CBD Laneways are also earmarked for the Smart Poles if Council is successful in obtaining Building our Regions (BoR) funding.

The working Smart Pole is on display at the River Festival in the marquee opposite Ribs and Rumps on the corner of Archer Street and Victoria Parade, from 15 to 17 July.