Council takes a ‘smart’ approach to exploring technology and innovation

Wagga Wagga City Council will take a unique approach to exploring Smart City infrastructure by bringing together industry leaders and local government representatives at a key event in Sydney.

Being a Smart City is using technology and knowledge to improve the liveability of a community and solve problems.

Unlike other Smart City events, Council’s will be pitch-based and focus on proven solutions from technology providers.

Importantly, it will allow local governments to bring complex problems to industry to be solved, Economic Development Officer Dominic Kennedy said.

“This is an opportunity for Wagga Wagga City Council to take a leadership position and host a solution-focused event,” he said.

“Most cities have similar issues that can be solved with existing technologies and local government leaders are currently exploring how they can adopt Smart City solutions.

“Along with presentations by technology and service providers, councils will be able to do a ‘reverse pitch’. This is where a city leader will lay out a complex problem or unique issue and ask the technology providers to propose a solution.

“Holding the event in Sydney allows us to attract a diverse range of councils and vendors in one location to ensure all attendees, including Wagga Wagga, gets the best information to bring back to our communities.”

There has been a global focus on Smart City solutions and in Australia the Commonwealth Government has a Smart Cities Plan focused on infrastructure planning and collaboration across all levels of government.

The key focus areas for Smart City solutions are energy, technology and innovation, sustainability, urban planning and building, mobility, and security.

The event is forecast to be cost-neutral for Council, with revenue from ticket sales, exhibitor fees and sponsorship estimated to cover expenses. There has already been a high level of interest in the event from both local governments and businesses.