Qteq cameras used to monitor Queensland during recent flooding emergency

Homegrown technology, in the form of smart cameras, monitored the recent flooding event to alert suburbs and captured the unfolding disaster. WATCH THE VIDEO:

The power of Mother Nature and her ability to change the course of events in a matter of minutes was captured in Grantham by smart camera technology developed in Toowoomba.

Qteq is the company that created the new camera technology and intelligent sensor systems to quickly send alerts to suburbs susceptible to weather events such as the torrential rain experienced in February.

Time-lapse video of water at Grantham bridge showed just how quickly floods could escalate, Qteq chief operating officer Nathan Poy said.

“The torrential rain was closely monitored by our purpose-built, rugged, flood monitoring systems which provide real time visual data analytics which are linked to automated alert notification systems like sirens and text messages,” Mr Poy said.

“The images captured by cameras embedded in the flood monitoring systems built and installed by Qteq reveal the sudden and dramatic rise in water levels caused by this extreme weather event.”

A time lapse video of flood water rising in Grantham.

Mr Poy said the images, which have been made publicly available, gave residents access to crucial information in real-time to allow them to make quick decisions in the face of disaster.

“As part of the wider community, it gives Qteq great professional satisfaction to contribute to the enhanced safety of local residents, our staff and our families,” Mr Poy said.

“We strongly believe in locals protecting locals.”

Last month’s flooding disaster came after more than two month’s of rain lashed Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley with places such as Helidon, Withcott and Gatton receiving more than 300mm of rain in 48 hours over February 26 and 27.

The flash flooding quickly inundated homes and businesses, and also saw hundreds of roads cut off, isolating and trapping hundreds.

Australian Army soldiers from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) assist the local community of Gatton, Queensland with removing flood-damaged belongings, as part of Operation Flood Assist 2022.

The flooding stretched emergency services to the limit, and Australian Defence Force personnel are still helping the recovery efforts.

Qteq commercial manager Adam Fitz-Henry said publicly available data would help residents in the firing line of flash flooding make decisions on how best to deal with future flood events.

“The cameras continue to provide time critical situational awareness for emergency services, state and government agencies, local council and importantly the general public,” Mr Fitz-Henry said.

The first Smart Sentinel was installed in 2013 in rural Queensland, and in the years since has grown rapidly across parts of Queensland and northern NSW to protect more than three million people.

The images have been made publicly available, giving locals unprecedented access to crucial information in real-time, so they’re able to make informed decisions in times of disaster.

TSBE general manager for energy and infrastructure Lance MacManus, Qteq COO Nathan Poy and Qteq commercial manager Adam Fitz-Henry.

TSBE General Manager for Energy and Infrastructure Lance MacManus said he was very proud to be working with Qteq and hoped more government agencies and local councils would see the benefits of this technology in protecting local communities.

“Qteq is a local business assisting in supporting local councils to alert communities to the dangers early which is so important when every minute counts,” Mr MacManus said.

“It’s great to know this support and these systems are available in our own region.

“This is a positive story to come out of our region during a difficult time showing the importance disaster mitigation and alert systems to ensure the most up to date information is available during disasters.”