Smart poles will enable free public WiFi, 5G and other smart technologies in Cremorne to strengthen connectivity for residents and businesses and support innovation.

The Victorian Government are partnering with Yarra City Council to deliver six smart poles across Cremorne, with one of the poles to service the home of the new Cremorne Digital Hub in Balmain Street.

Free public WiFi through the smart poles will help bridge the digital gap and foster innovation by ensuring everyone in Cremorne can access digital services, products and information.

The Cremorne precinct contributes more than $4 billion to the Victorian economy annually and is already home to some of Australia’s most successful tech companies valued at over $1 billion, including Carsales, REA Group, MYOB and SEEK, along with the Australian Sports Innovation Centre of Excellence.

More than 700 businesses and more than 10,000 workers are based in the precinct.

The new infrastructure will activate technologies at the street level, with sensors to help the City of Yarra monitor air quality, temperature, and foot and street traffic, as well as provide energy-efficient LED lighting.

The City of Yarra is working with digital infrastructure provider ENE.HUB to deliver the smart poles which will be installed over the next 12 months.

The Cremorne Digital Hub has been established by the Victorian Government and founding partners Artesian Venture Partners, the University of Melbourne, RMIT University and La Trobe University. The founding members propose to invest a combined $40.9 million in-kind, and $6.25 million in cash over the next 10 years, with the Hub to drive collaboration, grow investment networks and promote diversity and inclusion.

In addition to establishing the Hub, a ‘Sidecar Fund’ valued at up to $100 million will be seeded and managed by Artesian..

For more information about the smart poles, visit Cremorne digital infrastructure upgrade.