Like countless Country Fire Association branches across Victoria, the Watchem branch of the CFA counts many members of the farming community amongst its members. It is no wonder then, that Watchem CFA jumped at the generous opportunity offered to them by the LX group in Sydney to fund a base station as part of the wider network in the Wimmera Mallee that is managed by the Birchip Cropping Group, (BCG). The LoRaWAN base station will allow local farmers to utilise ‘Internet of Things’ sensors such as soil moisture probes, weather stations and so much more in the future. This technology is not dependent on the mobile telephone network and as such provides opportunities to regional communities and farmers that they otherwise would not have.
“Connectivity is something rural communities struggle with. Having the opportunity to engage with different technologies that can mitigate such issues is a game changer,” BCG CEO Chris Sounness explained. “BCG are very committed in building understanding and knowledge in the digital technology and data space and is why we have been working closely with farmers and providers to get the most out of new advances in technology,” Mr Sounness said.
The LX group wanted to contribute to the local community as part of their involvement in the project.
“We’re delighted to be able to contribute in bringing cutting edge technology to rural communities,” said LX CEO Adam Schindhelm. “It’s very exciting to work with organisations like the CFA and BCG, learning from their expertise and seeing the opportunities connectivity can open up in these areas.”
Round two of the BCG weather station and soil moisture probe network sees sixty weather stations deployed along with forty-five soil moisture probes, in addition to the original fifty weather stations already in operation.
For more information about the BCG weather station and soil moisture probe network please contact the BCG office at info@bcg.org.au or at 03 5492 2787.
