As part of the Victorian Government-funded Spotlight project, Ararat Rural City Council (in partnership with Digital Twin Victoria, Federation University and Attentis Technology P/L) are installing an integrated, localised weather sensor network across the Ararat municipality.

It's called the Ararat Rural Information Network (ARIN), and the data it collects is open-source and freely available to the wider community, all via a simple app!

Consisting of 25 multi-sensor weather station units strategically placed across the district, ARIN uses pioneering technology to provide 24-hour monitoring of live weather conditions.

The single-unit, pole-mounted sensors collate information on wind speed, wind direction, wind gusting, wind vectoring, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, rainfall, and air quality measurement, along with thermal imaging - all measured continuously, and reported every minute.

The ability to view microclimate weather readings offers exciting opportunities for the community at a local level. For our agribusinesses, accurate rainfall and weather condition information can assist with better business decision making, while building the digital capacity to provide smart farming tech like soil condition monitoring. At the local government level, emergency service agencies can monitor the localised data and start to develop early warning/monitoring systems for weather events.

In addition, all data from the ARIN network is shared to the Victorian Government’s Digital Twin data platform. This platform combines hundreds of data sets, with the aim of creating a ‘virtual digital twin’ of the state. This offers compelling future opportunities in understanding how digital twin technology can assist community decision making, asset management, and planning at a local level.

This project was funded with a $1,000,000 cash grant from Digital Twin Victoria (within the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning), along with in-kind value ($1.2 million) as well as in-kind labour from and Federation University and Ararat Rural City Council.

What is a Digital Twin?

Digital Twins use 2D, 3D, and live sensor data to build a virtual model of a place, including town infrastructure, rural roads, buildings, machinery and farmland. Through the project, ARCC will be establishing the Ararat Digital Twin to create a link between the virtual and digital world, enabling real world scenario simulations to be created.

This cutting-edge project offers exciting opportunities to understand how digital twin technology can assist on-farm decision making, asset management, planning and prioritisation of infrastructure repairs (including roads) and developments, at a local level.

Council recognises agriculture and agribusiness are strong drivers of the economy. Working with local growers, a core focus is adding value to support testing and fine-tuning of processes to reduce risk and increase productivity using weather and soil monitoring technologies.

Council are delivering the Victorian Rural Pilot in partnership with the Victorian Government’s Digital Twin Victoria Program. The project will fast-track the region’s smart technology strategy and support Victoria’s position as a global ag-tech leader.