A company developing novel technology to monitor and forecast potentially toxic blue-green algae blooms in NSW waterways is among 10 NSW companies to receive funding support through the $1.89 million Natural Hazards Technology Program (NHTP).
“This funding demonstrates the NSW’s Government commitment to innovation and technology to help improve our response and preparedness to natural hazards,” said Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong. “The $1.89 million Natural Hazards Technology Program actively supports innovative NSW businesses in refining and improving their technologies for the market while helping solve many of the challenges NSW agencies face in managing natural hazards.”
CyanoLakes’ innovative state-wide blue-green algae bloom forecasting system uses satellite remote sensing technology and machine learning to warn early about algal blooms in lakes and large river systems. The technology will monitor water quality 10 times more frequently in remote areas, improving advanced warning times and allowing agencies to better manage the severe threat posed to humans and animals.
“The Natural Hazards Technology Program grant gives us a unique opportunity to field-test our technology with WaterNSW to refine the product and ensure it provides accurate information. It helps us better understand their needs and build relationships, hopefully leading to further market opportunities in the state and beyond,” said Cyanolakes CEO Dr Mark Matthews. “Ultimately, it’s about keeping communities in NSW safe by taking full advantage of the rapid advances in the satellite imagery industry.”
The NHTP is supporting 10 NSW businesses to field-test their innovative technologies to address challenges faced by nine NSW Government agencies in preparing for and responding to natural hazards.
“Supporting innovative NSW businesses to field-test their technologies with NSW Government agencies allows them to bring their innovations one step closer to commercialisation and build relationships to increase opportunities for future collaborations,” said Chanthivong. “The Program also improves NSW Government agency awareness of innovation possibilities in natural hazards management and operations through exposure to new homegrown technology.”
These agencies include Fire and Rescue NSW, the Forestry Corporation of NSW, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, the Department of Customer Service, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service, and WaterNSW.
The program fosters a diverse range of technological advancements. These include:
- An AI-powered multilingual emergency warning system to ensure effective communication with culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- real-time data analysis and modelling of driver behaviour during natural hazards like floods and fires, enhancing public safety and streamlining evacuations
- drone-based recognition and assessment of hazardous trees following a fire operation.
“Technology can play an important role in how we model, predict and respond to natural hazards and emergencies, and this program helps us find solutions that work for our emergency service agencies and, ultimately, the communities of NSW,” said Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib. “This program supports local innovation by allowing NSW businesses to test and showcase their technology, building on the work already undertaken across emergency services agencies.
“These businesses are taking creative and innovative approaches to the complex challenges presented by natural hazards, whether making warning systems more accessible or helping predict floodwaters.”
Further information on the 10 businesses can be viewed at the NHTP webpage.