Craig Bates, systems engineer with Greenspan Technology, says "we've got a number of gauging stations around the city in East and West creeks. They measure both the water level and the rate of rise. The system detects whether the water is rising rapidly, and can turn on the flashing warning signs all around the city." (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders)
"Each master station - the big green tower - works autonomously," Craig Bates says. "We've got quite a lot in there. There's a solar panel with two batteries, designed to last for 10 days without any sun. The logger keeps a long term record of what happens at the site. Even in the event of no communications elsewhere it still logs the water measurements. We've got two communications systems in there, and, of course, the instrument that does the water level monitoring." (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders)
"There's a gas line that runs all the way from the creek to the box at the top of the tower," Craig Bates says. "The measurement actually takes place in the tower. It works on the pressure on the line. So we don't need to have any electronics in the water, so it's more reliable." (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders)
Craig Bates says "we have a computer interface so we can monitor water levels, and see the status of all the signs." (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders)
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio says the system will provide more than just information to emergency services. "We must make sure we do whatever we can to provide safety for the community. It's a very valuable tool to provide comfort to the community." (ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders)
The tall green towers erected in various locations along East and West Creeks in Toowoomba are packed full of electronics that will monitor water levels, and the rate of rise.
The system is connected to warning signs around the city and will send SMS alerts to emergency services.
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