Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has congratulated Wollondilly Shire Council on its lead role in a $1.6 million data and infrastructure research project across Western Sydney.

The Federal Government has announced $700,000 in funding to support the project, which will monitor air and water quality, heat islands, traffic congestion, tourism traffic, as well as the condition of the region’s sporting fields.

Mr Taylor said he was delighted that Wollondilly was coordinating ground breaking research, in conjunction with the Western Sydney City Deal councils, University of Wollongong, UNSW, Sydney Water and Wollondilly Health Alliance.

“The data will be collected through networks of smart sensors, some of which are already in place. Many more sensors will be installed in public places,” Mr Taylor said.

“This is using latest technology to tackle some of the big issues impacting on city living. It will set baseline measures to influence planning and population decisions, as the new city grows up around the Western Sydney Airport.”

Wollondilly mayor Judith Hannan said the project would be a co-operation across eight local councils – Wollondilly, Campbelltown, Camden, Penrith, Liverpool, Fairfield, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains councils.   

“We are excited about the wonderful news that local government will receive funding for such an innovative project in our communities,” Cr Hannan said.

“This is a great demonstration of the collaboration between the eight councils of the Western Sydney City Deal. We are looking forward to continuing to work together to achieve positive outcomes for the citizens of the Western Sydney Parkland City.”

Federal funding for the project has been allocated under Round 2 of the Smart Cities and Suburbs Program, a $50 million competitive program to support local governments to apply technology-based approaches to improve the liveability of cities and regional centres. For more information on the program please visit https://infrastructure.gov.au/cities/smart-cities/.