Wyndham City's innovative smart city project, WynLens, is set to expand with the help of a $300,000 grant from the Australian Government. The first of its kind in Australia, WynLens has been developed by Wyndham City using mixed reality technology to provide a comprehensive, three-dimensional view of the upcoming $250 million redevelopment of the Werribee CBD.
Wyndham City's Smart City Portfolio Holder Cr Aaron An announced that the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet grant will support the expansion of the WynLens project. The project uses mixed reality headsets to allow users to view computerised plans of future developments, giving a more realistic impression than traditional artist's impressions.
According to the council, the use of mixed reality can encourage investment in the community and help residents better understand development plans. The project has already won Wyndham City the 2017 National Award for Excellence in Local Government and was showcased at the 2017 Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona.
With the $294,820 federal grant and an additional $300,000 contribution from the council, WynLens will be further developed to enable the display of live data such as pedestrian and vehicle traffic, air quality, water usage and other sensor-derived information. It will also be possible to use the technology in other locations, making it a truly revolutionary tool in local government.
Other councils have shown great interest in the project and Wyndham City is confident that many more will soon be using this innovative technology.