Campbelltown could have solar-powered park benches that charge your phone and offer Wi-Fi access
We’ve got smart phones and smart TVs but now Campbelltown Council is hoping to introduce smart benches.
Macarthur
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We’ve got smart phones and smart TVs but now Campbelltown Council is hoping to introduce smart benches.
The solar powered benches will charge your phone and allow residents to access free Wi-Fi and have an in-built cooling fan for hot days.
Council staff are exploring the possibility of introducing the benches at locations across the region after Campbelltown Mayor George Brticevic raised the idea at last night’s council meeting.
Cr Brticevic said the smart benches would allow people to use their devices without running down data and battery while at events like children’s sporting activities.
“Part of our (Labor’s) campaign was providing free Wi-Fi at parks and recreation areas,” he said.
“If you’re at a park, skatepark or library you could save on your data and recharge your phone while the kids are doing their activities.
“I also think people talk about how kids and adults are staying indoors these days and using their devices, well this could provide the best of both worlds.
“It’s also something we could have at our libraries to provide an alternative study area for students instead of having them stuck inside.”
Known as Steora Smart Benches, the Croatian innovation is distributed in Australia by Clean Energy Australia.
The company’s general manager Ivan Lozic said the benches were currently being trialled by councils near Perth.
Cr Brticevic said he hoped to see the first smart benches in Campbelltown by 2018.
“I’d love to have a trial by the new year but that obviously does depend on costs and viability and we need to plan for it in the budget,” he said.
“The trials (in Perth) only started a week or two ago so our staff will look at them when they are formulating their report.”
Council staff will also investigate other manufacturers as part of their report
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