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SA Forestry goes high tech to gain visitors

South Australia’s Forestry Department is implementing technology to provide recreational forest visitors with more mobile access to information and to help navigate popular recreation areas. Source: FutureGov Asia

Minister for Forests, Gail Gago said that an estimated 150,000 people visit ForestrySA forest reserves each year.

These areas have long been popular destinations for a range of activities. Visitors will now be able to find mountain bike trails, picnic areas and information on local flora and fauna on-the-go.

QR codes have been put on forest recreation brochures, allowing visitors to directly access information on the ForestrySA website using a smartphone and a QR code reader app.

These codes are also being incorporated into other ForestrySA displays and materials.

Codes will appear on ForestrySA signages at Valley Lake Conservation Park, providing visitors with information on what is available in local Native Forest Reserves and encouraging them to visit.

Other than finding their way around, visitors will soon be able to make online bookings and payments for Mount Lofty Ranges huts on the ForestrySA website.

This system will be integrated with GPS coordinates which are already available on Mount Lofty Ranges hut information sheets.

“The State Government is committed to making sure these forest reserves are easily accessible, and it is important that we provide up to date access and safety information to all forest users,” said Minister Gago.