A lot of water still needs to pass under the bridge before Darwin can be called a Smart City

THERE is a lot of murky water over what the Smart Cities project will add to the city and how will actually work

THERE is a lot of murky water over what the Smart Cities project will add to the city and how will actually work.

The fact the technology is linked to Shenzhen, where a controversial social-credit system has used the technology to ping residents for jaywalking is sure to be a reason for concern among readers, and rightly so.

It’s not council’s role to watch our every move, keeping tabs on us like Big Brother.

But if it uses our data to improve the city, without invading our privacy, we should be happy with the direction council is heading in.

DARWIN to build future on smart technology based on cities in China and Taiwan

DARWIN council to return to China as Smart Cities project finishes up

While many have been scratching their heads over what exactly the project is and what it will do, it seems to be coming into place.

Council sells their pitch very well — a successful project would see businesses benefiting from data directly from their target market hopefully leading to an economic upturn, while also rejuvenating parts of the city making for a safer and more vibrant city.

However council have allocated a lot of resources, time, money and staff into the Smart cities program.

If it does turn out to be a bust it could have a significant impact on their legacy.

The project is being headed by arguably council’s most influential manager and operator in Josh Sattler and is in good hands and looking forward, the positives well outweigh the negatives.

But it won’t just be a matter of switching on cameras to determine if the project has been a success or not — the city needs to see increased and continuous economic benefit and city activation before we deem Darwin a Smart council.