Using technology to drive better outcomes for Fraser Coast

15/11/2017

Using technology to drive better outcomes for Fraser Coast

The Fraser Coast region has been awarded a $152,500 Australian Government technology grant to help deliver better outcomes for the community.

The automated traffic management project has been announced as one of 52 successful projects under Round One of the Australian Government’s inaugural Smart Cities and Suburbs Program.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council project will install integrated traffic counters with automatic database upload in the urban areas of Maryborough and Hervey Bay.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt welcomed the funding and commended the Fraser Coast Regional Council on its innovation.

“The Coalition Government is backing local communities, and supporting the use of new technologies to deliver sustainable, liveable and productive cities, suburbs and regions,” Mr Pitt said.

“This project will provide data in real time, allowing for planned mitigation of traffic movements, and data analysis will allow evidence-based decisions for investment in traffic management and infrastructure,” he said.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said the project would help improve traffic and safety on Fraser Coast roads, by ensuring infrastructure was appropriate for the growing numbers of motorists.
 
“This allows for forward-planning to ensure roads on the Fraser Coast continue to meet the needs of local drivers, tourists and heavy vehicles servicing our industries.”
 
In addition to the Australian Government’s $152,500 contribution, the Fraser Coast Regional Council will contribute $152,500 to make the project a reality.

The $50 million Smart Cities and Suburbs Program supports local governments and partner organisations to deliver technology projects to solve the critical challenges facing our cities, suburbs and regional centres, tackling issues such as congestion, housing supply, community safety and access to essential services.

Round Two of the Program is expected to open in the first half of 2018. More information on the Program and the Smart Cities Plan is available at https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/.