PEOPLE of the Macleay Valley can access up-to-date travel information about water levels at Sherwood bridge after the commissioning of Kempsey Shire Council’s remote flood camera.
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The remote control camera, mounted high on the western side of the riverbank, will monitor flood levels and the status of the bridge during severe weather events.
It can be panned and tilted and send pictures instantly to the council which can share them on its website and via social media.
Council’s Infrastructure Services director Robert Scott was eager to hear feedback from the community about the camera.
“The Macleay River can quickly increase in height following heavy rainfall and cut the low level bridge accesses for many residents living in the upper Macleay from Sherwood to Bellbrook,” Mr Scott said.
“One thing we have heard from people is that they would like a better indication of when the bridge is closed.
“They might see pictures of council staff and vehicles on the bridge and believe it to be open when it is in fact closed for inspection.
“The camera has the ability to trigger a flashing warning light system, similar to the school speed zone signs, that is what we are hoping to look at next."
Depending on funding, the council hopes to install similar cameras at Georges Junction and Bellbrook so people can confirm what the river height gauges are saying.
“The flood in early May was the perfect opportunity to test displaying the images on our website,” Mr Scott said.
“The camera system we have installed is being used for emergency management information systems by a number of councils across the east coast of Australia.
“They are being used to control lights, warning sirens and issue automated alerts for the road status so there is scope for further use here in the Macleay."
During normal conditions the camera images are updated every 30 minutes and more frequently during flooding events.
Images are time and date stamped to enable people to tell when they were taken.
“We hope to be able expand this technology to critical flood gauges throughout the Shire when funding becomes available,” Mr Scott said.
“It would save deploying staff during a flood event to check river levels at key sites and also allow the community to receive up to the minute information,” he said.
You can visit council’s website at www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/emergency/floodcam to view the latest images of the Sherwood bridge deck.
