It’s a start, and I’m happy about that, says Councillor Warren Morrison of an initiative using QR codes that could put Campbelltown on the map in the long term.
In December last year the Totally Locally Committed [TLC] councillor requested a feasibility study into the use of QR codes on street signs, monuments and plaques.
The report, which will be tabled at the next council meeting on Tuesday, October 13, rules out street signs on the basis it would not be safe to place QR codes next to the name on the sign.
However the report gives the green light to a trial use of QR codes technology linking it to historic buildings such as Glenalvon House, pictured at right, and others in Queen Street.
The QR codes will direct people scanning them to council’s website and information contained there about the historic sites included in the trial.
“There are so many opportunities with the use of QR codes but you have to start somewhere,’’ says Cr Morrison, pictured above at Menangle Park.
“I would like to see us add more data on the council website about heritage and monuments as part of the trial.’’
The report to council says QR [Quick Read] codes were designed in 1994.
“Until recently, the technology was occasionally utilised in a retail environment, however the uptake of this technology was slow due to a number of limitations.
“Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of QR codes is on the rise, as it has become one of the simplest ways for people to sign in to restaurants, meetings and other public venues.’’
The report says QR codes have been used from time to time by council in marketing material.
“We have also used QR codes on our development application signs to direct interested parties to the application,’’ it says.
Cr Morrison says there’s unlimited potential for the use of the QR technology but accepts that it can’t all happen overnight.
Originally he wanted QR codes to be included in the new housing development at Menangle Park to ensure new residents have easy access to the rich history of the area.
“The historical stuff, Menangle Park, Mawson park and so on, is a good place to start with implementing a QR codes policy,’’ says Cr Morrison.
“But think about how it can be great if all those art works in storage at the Campbelltown arts centre can be made available through this type of technology.
“That’s going to be the future, making it easier for the next generations to know the history of the place,’’ he says.
The use of the codes for the proposed trial would be tracked through analytics.
If it proves successful, the report says council could then consider using the technology on new signs being rolled out to increase awareness of local history in suburban locations.
“I am looking forward to the trial and eventually the expansion of this technology here in Campbelltown,’’ Cr Morrison said.
