SAFER
Our purpose is to make your world a safer place and we are committed to exploring opportunities to use technology to achieve this purpose and help mitigate the risk of loss for our customers and the wider community.
TACKLING FLOODS WITH TECHNOLOGY
Our cover shows a DipStik flood monitoring system installed at the Wedderburn Causeway near Campbelltown in New South Wales.
NRMA Insurance and NSW State Emergency Services (SES) are supporting a 12-month trial of this Australian flood monitoring technology that aims to reduce the costs and risks associated with floods through early detection and warning.
The trial is being conducted in partnership with local councils in six flood-prone regions: Campbelltown, Liverpool, Shellharbour, Coffs Harbour, Wollondilly and Dungog. Over 18 units have been installed as part of the trial. The DipStik units are already being used in locations across Victoria independently from this trial.
DipStik was developed by Australian technological firm Tuftec Solutions. It works by monitoring water levels 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When a storm occurs, warning messages are sent to the council and NSW SES so they can take appropriate measures and advise the local community of floodwater risk.
DipStik is also fitted with a high-powered flashing beacon that can warn oncoming motorists and the local community that an area or road is flooded.
Each DipStik device is powered by solar panels so no external power connections are required; a small battery storage unit attached to each device allows it to work throughout the night and during inclement weather.
Some of the DipStik units are fitted with digital camera technology. This enables them to capture periodic images of local conditions and post them to a special website to assist with flood event management.
With floods estimated to cost Australian communities over $400 million each year, smart monitoring systems like DipStik provide early warning of floods and can play a vital role in helping communities plan for and manage flood events. By providing real-time data, DipStik can also lead to improved understanding of flood trends in local areas.
The trial is part of the commitment of NRMA Insurance and NSW SES to help communities better understand, reduce and prevent risks associated with natural disasters.