As part of the Smart Cities program, the City of Stonnington collects information from several types of sensors including motion sensors, object detection sensors, and parking sensors.
These sensors do not collect, store or transmit individually identifiable information such as audio or visual footage, facial recognition, or other personally identifiable data such as skin colour, gender or license plates.
The anonymous data provided by these sensors helps the City of Stonnington to make better informed decisions that are designed to improve the city as a place to live, visit, and do business.
Motion sensors
Motion sensors are the most basic form of sensor and detect only movement (such as a sensor that automatically turns on an outside light).
As of March 2023, motion sensors are installed at:
- entry and exit points at Thomas Oval Dog Park, South Yarra
- Daly Street walkway, South Yarra.
Motion sensors may be triggered by pedestrians or animals the size of a small dog and upwards.
No information other than the triggering of the sensor by movement plus time of day and the day of week is recorded.
Object detection sensors
As of December 2021, fixed object detection sensors are installed at:
- the five main entry and exit points to Prahran Square
- Chapel Street, Prahran
- Commercial Road, Prahran
- Glenferrie Road, Malvern
- Hawksburn Village
- High Street, Prahran
- High Street, Malvern
- Kingsway, Armadale
- Toorak Road, South Yarra
- Toorak Road, Toorak.
Object detection sensors have a fixed location and field of coverage. They are stand-alone and do not record any individually identifiable information. They can distinguish:
- pedestrians as objects, with no personally identifiable information
- motor vehicles as objects, with no identifiable information
- bicycles, e-bikes and scooters as objects, with no further identifiable information
- the time of day and day of the week.
- the length of time each object is detected within the range of the detector, which can then be used to determine measures such as vehicle and pedestrian flow or congestion.
People counters at key venues
People counters are sensors that detect objects at the main entries of our key venues.
These sensors have a fixed location and limited field of coverage. They are stand-alone and do not record any individually identifiable information. They can distinguish between an adult person and child entering the doorway. No other identifiable information is detected with these sensors.
These sensors are installed at:
- Function on Chapel, Prahran Town Hall (main entrance)
- History Centre
- Malvern Community and Arts Centre
- Phoenix Park Community Centre
- Prahran RSL
- Stonnington Sports Centre
- the main entries to Council's four libraries (Malvern, Phoenix Park, Toorak/South Yarra and Prahran Square).
Parking sensors
Parking sensors are installed in the Prahran Square underground car park and three of our shopping precincts:
- Chapel Street precinct
- High Street, Armadale
- Glenferrie Road, Malvern
- Toorak Village, Toorak.
A parking sensor is a small electronic device installed underneath a car parking bay. The sensor registers when a vehicle enters and leaves the parking bay. The sensors do not collect any private or identifiable information like registration plates or the model, colour or name of the vehicle. All data collected from the sensors is safely sent to a secure storage facility in Melbourne in line with Australian data sovereignty laws.
Public waste bin sensors
The sensors installed on waste and recycling bins in public spaces do not collect and personal information. The sensors are unable to identify the content of the items discarded in the bins.
Identifiable information
No identifiable information relating to individuals or motor vehicles is collected, retained or transmitted by any sensing devices used by the City of Stonnington, its contractors or solution providers. All information is completely anonymous and is used to understand the general movement patterns of vehicles, pedestrians, and animals to assist the City of Stonnington in its objective of being a great place to live, visit, and do business.
Storage of information
No data containing individually identifiable information is collected or stored locally or remotely.
Depending on the nature of the detector, the anonymous data may be relayed in real-time or delayed to an Australian-based external supplier of services to the City of Stonnington. This data is encrypted and subject to stringent security protocols. Visit the Minnovation Technologies website for more information.
Like many other cities in the world and many Australian Local Authorities, the City of Stonnington is also working towards implementing technologies that bring operational efficiencies to staff and provide valuable data to improve the planning for improving liveability and sustainability of our communities.
VicRoads traffic monitoring
Not all cameras installed in Stonnington are operated by Council. VicRoads may have cameras installed at various locations and intersections across the City. You can find more information on the VicRoads traffic monitoring cameras page.
Community consultation and engagement
The City of Stonnington embarked on developing a Smart City Strategic Framework in 2022 as such we engaged with staff, numerous community groups, local businesses and industry leaders before the Framework was endorsed by Council.
The City of Stonnington is committed to the principles of transparency and accountability to our community. Contact us if you'd like more information.
City of Stonnington Privacy Policy
The City of Stonnington has a comprehensive data collection and privacy policy covering all of Council's handling of personal information. View the Information Privacy Policy for more information.