Last week week Mid-Western Regional Council secured a $1.2 million grant through round two of the Australian Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs Program, which will see the introduction of ‘smart water meters’ across the region.
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This $1.2 million will be used in the roll out of these ‘smart water meters’ over the next several years in the Mid-Western region including Mudgee, Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos.
General Manager, Brad Cam said of the meters: “They will replace the existing water meters and it allows real time monitoring, so not only can council staff look at the usage but so can the residents.”
Overall sentiment was mixed on social media with some commenters wondering if the any meter readers employed by council will keep their job once people and council are able to access meters remotely.
The Mudgee Guardian reached out to Mid-Western Regional Council and asked if the meter reader position would be no longer needed once the newer meters are installed.
A council spokesperson responded.
Meter reading in the Mid-Western Regional Council Area is conducted by a contracting company that indicated a desire to cease its contract.
This was the catalyst for Council investigating alternative options and submitting a grant to the Australian Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs Program.
This two-year project will directly result in job creation and skill development in the region with strong potential to lead to future smart infrastructure projects locally.
While the contracting company ceased it’s agreement with council, ultimately council says this will result in further jobs being created during the roll out.
So while there was no specific ‘meter reader’ position, the company that was contracted has decided to end its relationship and that move pushed council to explore alternatives which eventually lead to the smart water meters that are to come.
Council says the water meters ‘will provide an estimated $445,000 annual cost saving to ratepayers by detecting water leakage in real time.’
What do you think of the water meters? Leave a comment below.
