Aucklanders are being kept up-to-date on the condition of the city’s beaches this summer – thanks in part to solutions provided by Fulton Hogan.

In a first for New Zealand, Auckland Council decided it needed to provide real time water quality forecasts and up-to-date information on health and safety risks.

The council engaged Fulton Hogan to make and install a digital sign at Mission Bay, providing real time water quality information as well as another 160 static signs for other beaches. All the signage drives people to the council’s new website, www.safeswim.org.nz

The website draws on the most accurate up-to-date information on what’s happening at 84 beaches and eight freshwater locations, including whether the beach is patrolled by surf lifesavers and if there are dangers, such as tides and rips and hazards such as jellyfish or a pollution issue.

Fulton Hogan’s Signs and Graphics team, Electrical division and the South East and North East Maintenance teams contributed to this project. Signs and Graphics have also supplied 40 footpath sign blades which surf lifesavers can put up at the beaches they are patrolling over summer.

Auckland Council partnered with Watercare, Surf Lifesaving Northern Region and the Auckland Regional Public Health Service on the initiative. It has been so well received that more digital signs may be installed at other local beaches.