Rising above the farmland in the Gregadoo-Big Springs area, southeast of Wagga Wagga, the newest addition to the WatchTowers network is now active. Positioned to watch over one of Australia's most important agricultural regions, Mt Flakney is a key step in expanding bushfire detection and response capabilities across the Riverina.
This site came to life through the NSW Government’s Plantation Fire Protection program, part of a broader investment in safeguarding timber plantations and the communities around them. It was co-funded by the NSW Rural Fire Service, the Department of Primary Industries and the Softwoods Working Group.
We were proud to be awarded two fire detection camera sites under the initiative - Mt Flakney and Mt Ikes. What makes Mt Flakney so strategic is its pairing with our other new WatchTower at Galore Hill. Together, they provide overlapping coverage across the wider Wagga Wagga region, offering emergency services fast, clear insights across an expansive, fire-prone landscape.
Watch the short video below to see the Mt Flakney build come together - from tower prep to final camera calibration.
Local support made it happen
This was a genuine team effort. A big thanks goes to Wagga Wagga City Council, who provided tower access and the backhaul connection needed to get the station online. Their involvement has helped strengthen regional readiness and ensures this is a truly community-driven solution.
With this site now live, the Riverina is more connected than ever to the broader WatchTowers network - a real-time detection system already operating across the Yass Valley, ACT, Snowy Valleys, Snowy Monaro, and other key fire-prone areas stretching down to the Victorian border. Mt Flakney fills a key gap, joining together regional intelligence into a clearer, faster picture for responders.
Ready for what’s next
Bushfire risk in southern NSW isn’t what it used to be. Fire seasons are starting earlier, and how they behave is changing. Mt Flakney brings AI-enabled detection and live camera feeds to the frontline, helping incident controllers assess conditions and respond within moments.
This installation is just one part of a wider regional strategy backed by the Department of Primary Industries, which includes trail upgrades, water access for aerial operations and new safety infrastructure. It’s about building resilience, layer by layer, so our regional industries and communities are better prepared.
More to come
Mt Flakney might be just outside Wagga, but its impact reaches far wider. It's a practical reminder that strong networks are built through collaboration, local knowledge and trust.
We’re looking forward to sharing more news from the Riverina and surrounding districts. Until then, if you're thinking about how to boost fire detection in your area, we’d love to talk. Whether you’re building new or upgrading what you’ve got, we’re here to help make it happen.
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