Some of the products we have created are listed below: 

SAND - Sparse Ad hoc Networks for Deserts

RLMS - Remote Management Livestock Systems

Fire trailer

Horticultural production of bush tomatoes

Sparse Ad hoc Networks for Deserts (SAND)

The problem

Communication resources in remote Australia are:

• expensive to install because of the large distances and sparse user network
• difficult to maintain because of the harsh climatic conditions (heat and dust) and the need for specialised technicians to travel large distances to affect repairs
• difficult to reposition because of the overhead costs
• do not provide a high capacity data network.

SAND is designed to alleviate many of these shortcomings.

There are applications in data, voice and video communication.

Some of the commercial benefits are:

• Cost effective and easy-to-maintain access to services such as voice and internet
• Networks can be deployed in an unplanned manner, with no new cabling required, and they can be easily extended by adding nodes
• Networks integrate with existing technology and can be coupled with relatively cheap radio technology.

SAND provides inexpensive and reliable access to communication in remote areas.

SAND’s advantages over UHF and HF radio communications are that voice and data security are assured, band width is vastly greater, and each node is a repeater.

Commercial Opportunity

A prototype working SAND system has been developed, and field trials are commencing. There is an opportunity for interested parties to be involved in the early-stage trials of this technology through cash or in-kind investment. The benefits of early involvement could include:

• Significant discount in the final purchase price
• First access to the product
• Supply preference for product
• Input into product development to ensure that the final product meets the needs of your organisation.

The DKCRC seeks:

• Investors to create commercial partnerships
• Commitment by potential end users to trial the technology
• End-user commitment to purchase at the end of the trial period.

A full opportunity prospectus for SAND is available. 

 

Remote Livestock Management System

The Remote Livestock Management System (RLMS) consists of technology such as WOW (‘walk-over-weighing’, developed in collaboration with the Sheep CRC), radio frequency identification tags, auto-drafting, telemetry and video surveillance transmitted back to the homestead. The system has the potential to dramatically change the way desert pastoral stations operate and to enhance their economic and environmental resilience.

The benefits to end users have been displayed at a series of field days at remote pastoral stations across the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia, where pastoralists have met with commercial suppliers and inspected first hand the water management and RLMS equipment.

With this system, intensive management practices can occur on large pastoral stations. This will result in increased production while reducing production costs, improving animal welfare and improving land management. Although it has been developed in the desert, many of the benefits will also be applicable to non-desert production systems.

This system was featured on an episode of the ABC's Landline. A full transcript is available here.

Fire trailer

There have been many attempts to find an appropriate fire fighting vehicle to protect life and property by preventing approaching grass fires entering remote communities and pastoral properties.

The Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS), Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) and the Desert Knowledge CRC developed a sturdy fire trailer which will help make these communities safer by meeting their particular needs. Nine units have been sold so far.

Community feedback about the fire trailer has been positive and has led to modifications that include a larger tank (1000 litres). The trailer remains stable and still has carrying capacity within the legal load ratings, even with the extra size.

CAT has produced a handbook with maintenance and operating instructions and spare parts manual included.

Benefits to desert Australia

The fire trailer is specifically designed for remote use and combines many useful features that have not previously been available together in one unit:

• The trailer can be used to fight structure fires using a static water supply such as a hydrant, as well as fighting grass fires using tank water.

• The trailer consists of a modular platform attached to a dual axle frame.

• The module can be removed and replaced on a different chassis if necessary.

• Dual wheels mean that if a tyre is damaged the trailer can still be towed.

• The robust 600 litre polypropylene tank is impervious to hard water conditions associated with bores, and is manufactured in Darwin.

• The trailer can be easily towed by a standard 4WD vehicle.

• Water is delivered through a reliable diesel pump.

Additional features

• The modular design allows for a replacement chassis.

• The high clearance and low centre of gravity allow for safe and easy towing across rugged country.

• Double hose reels allow for more efficient fire fighting.

• Hand height rails around the trailer ensure safe access to equipment without risk of falling.

• The trailer and equipment can be used for other pastoral purposes such as weed control and fertilising, providing equipment is thoroughly rinsed between applications.

Firefighting equipment

• Tank: 600 Litres polypropylene

• Pump: Aussie Fire Chief centrifugal pump with twin impellers

• Hose Reel: Ezy reel with hose guide rollers

• Hose: 30 metres of 19mm hose and dial-a-jet nozzles; second short length hose reel

• Couplings: Cam lock (other options available)

• Extra fittings are available.

Trailer

• Base: 75 x 50 steel frame

• Module: 5 mm alloy checker plate

• Length: 3.9 metres

• Width: 1.2 metres

• Rating: 2.5 tonne

• Payload:1.2 tonne

• Wheels: 4WD configuration wheel (options available)

• Lights: L.E.D.

A brochure about the fire trailer is available.

For more information about this fire trailer and details of how to purchase, contact:

Centre for Appropriate Technology, Regional Operations Manager (ph: 08 8951 4326), or

Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS), Officer in Charge (ph: 08 8951 6688).

 

Horticultural production of bush tomatoes

Horticultural production of bush tomato has been attempted both in and outside the desert in the past 10 years, but there is an absence of improved plant material. This gap in the market and the potential for plant improvements with specific market characteristics will provide real commercial opportunities for the industry, and particularly for Aboriginal participants.

Major factors limiting horticultural production are: 

• very inconsistent yield from plant to plant (only highly variable seedling material is available)
• high cost of seedlings. 
• lack of knowledge on how to obtain and sustain good yield (perennial production) from season to season. 

This DKCRC horticultural research will provide data on:

• selection
• propagation, including enhancing seed germination
• production techniques at the commercial scale, including input-output information to inform business decision-making
• technical information about plant production at the commercial scale, including water, treatments and harvesting options
• post-harvest handling information for phyto-sanitary regimes.

Benefits to the bush tomato industry, particularly for Aboriginal participants, are that documented and evidence-based data will reduce risk for start-up enterprises, including small, medium and micro- enterprises.