An innovative Smart Bench has been installed on the Normanville Foreshore, but it’s so much more than just a bench. 

This intelligent seat provides a glimpse into a future where community areas become places for people to not only enjoy recreation, but also engage with technology powered by green energy. 

The Smart Bench is decked out with solar panels that provide 110 Watts of electricity per hour, and it includes two USB ports for powering devices, as well as a wireless charging station. 

So now it's possible to recharge both your mind and your mobile devices while enjoying the view of Normanville Jetty, the ocean and the beach. It's fun at night too, when the Smart Bench comes alive with mood lighting.

There is no need to worry that the solar panels will be hot to sit on if it’s a scorcher. The Smart Bench has an inbuilt fan to keep the seat temperature below 26°C. It is also anchored and locked into the pavement to prevent vandalism.

The Smart Bench is on loan from Smart City Solutions to the District Council of Yankalillla, which is encouraging locals to sit on the bench and think about smart ideas for the future of the Normanville Foreshore. 

This is part of the biggest community consultation the council has ever undertaken: Nature’s Best, Let’s Plan The Rest. Through this initiative council wants to hear from the community to help plan effectively for the region's future.

You can share your ideas for the future of the Normanville Foreshore on the council website.