Two Sunshine Coast companies will trial new technology aimed at improving waste management, visitor safety and site operations at ecotourism destinations.
Leakster Operations and HazView have secured $100,000 in funding, through the Private Sector Pathways (PSP) Program – Ecotourism Waste and Sustainability Challenges, to develop and test their initiatives.
Leakster Operations’ waste solution, Overflow, is a smart monitoring platform that predicts bin and toilet asset fill levels in real time. The offline data can then be used by rangers to care for these ecotourism sites.
The technology helps identify when servicing is required, improving waste collection efficiency and helping keep Queensland’s ecotourism visitor amenities clean and well maintained.
Leakster Operations CEO and founder Sara Richardson said the funding would allow technology already being used in the state’s water networks to be applied to protecting ecotourism sites.
“Overflowing bins and toilets are more than an inconvenience. They damage the visitor experience and put pressure on the natural environment these sites are meant to protect,” she said.
“By predicting fill levels, we can help rangers and ecotourism site mangers prioritise their time and keep these places clean and welcoming for the millions of visitors who rely on them.”
HazView’s sustainability solution will help visitors better plan and navigate their travel at Queensland ecotourism sites, by giving them access to interactive online and offline maps with real-time visitor information, local conditions and safety advice.
The platform’s monitoring feature will also help site managers and rangers better manage visitor demands to support safer, more efficient visitor experiences.
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HazView director Sam Hislop-Lynch said the platform allows visitors to explore Queensland’s beautiful ecotourism sites responsibly and with total confidence.
“By bringing real-time maps and safety advice directly to a visitor’s phone, visitors can easily look at the information relevant to them and know exactly what they can and can’t do,” he said.
“This platform will also give on-the-ground rangers the ability to address issues the moment they arise, ensuring both the environment and visitor experience are looked after.”
Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Deputy Director-General of Tourism Bridget Woods said Queensland is home to remarkable ecotourism destinations, and local innovators were being backed to help protect the locations for future generations.
“Leakster Operations and HazView have developed solutions that could improve the way we manage waste, support visitors and protect our natural assets,” she said.
The PSP Program helps Queensland small and medium enterprises work with government and industry partners to demonstrate and commercialise innovative solutions to real-world challenges, delivered through the 20-year tourism plan Destination 2045.
