The ISJO Multi‑Hazard Monitoring Pilot, delivered under the NSW Government’s Disaster Risk Reduction Fund, enabled Member Councils to trial emerging environmental sensor technology at no upfront cost and in real‑world conditions.

The Pilot has been successful as a learning exercise, improving collective understanding of how distributed monitoring systems can support hazard awareness, emergency response and longer‑term planning.

Flood monitoring has proven to be the system’s strongest capability.  Sensors located at flood‑prone, council‑owned road crossings such as Swamp Road and Otford Causeway provided timely data and visual confirmation that supported earlier and more confident road closure decisions during flood events.

A further unanticipated benefit has been access to historical environmental and visual data.  This has added value for post‑event reviews, asset management, planning activities and grant reporting.

Limitations Identified

The Pilot has also highlighted material limitations:

• Low‑density multi‑hazard networks provide limited early warning capability, particularly for bushfire detection.
• System performance has been variable, with outages and calibration issues reducing confidence in reliability.
• Some sensor locations delivered limited hazard‑specific value, reducing overall effectiveness.

These findings reinforce the importance of aligning system design, sensor density and cost with clearly defined operational objectives.

Key Lessons from the Pilot Program

• Flood monitoring delivers the strongest and most immediate operational benefit.
• Sensor placement must be strategic and risk‑based to maximise value.
• Staff awareness, training and system integration are essential for effective use.
• Long‑term value depends on reliability, maintenance and cost sustainability.

Recommendations

 Based on the above it is recommended that the region:

Continue promotion and internal engagement across councils

Maintain regular demonstrations, staff training and awareness activities to maximise value from the existing network.

Maintain the current network size until the pilot concludes

No additional sensors should be installed until a comprehensive cost‑benefit assessment is completed.

Explore automated flood warning signage at proven locations

Swamp Road and Otford Causeway present strong opportunities to enhance community safety through automated warning signage. Further investigation during the pilot period is recommended.

Investigate relocation of low‑value depot‑based sensors

Undertake a cost‑benefit assessment to determine whether relocating existing sensors would provide greater strategic value.

Pursue integration with existing council systems

Investigate API integration to improve efficiency, usability and routine adoption.

Investigate cost‑effective, hazard‑specific alternatives

In collaboration with Member Councils and the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer, explore emerging low‑cost monitoring technologies, particularly for flood risk.