ANB Council delays decision on hosting 5G Lough Neagh algae detection project
- Michelle Weir (Local Democracy Reporter)
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Lough Neagh, County Antrim
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Economic Development Committee has deferred a decision on acting as a site host for The Gateway Project, a new initiative developed to support early detection of blue-green algae bloom in Lough Neagh.
A report was presented to a meeting of the committee at Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey, on Tuesday evening.
Members were told that Helix8 Ltd, a Larne-based technology company, has secured funding under the Belfast 5G Innovation Region (5GIR) programme, supported by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), for the delivery of The Gateway Project.
The initiative aims to establish Northern Ireland’s first 5G-enabled, automated environmental monitoring “drone-in-a-box” system at the council-owned visitor centre, The Gateway, at Antrim Lough Shore, providing early detection of blue-green algae bloom in Lough Neagh.
The council’s potential role would involve providing site access and liaising with Helix8 on the use of council-owned land and assets at The Gateway building.
Meanwhile, phase two of the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), aimed at tackling the growth of blue-green algae in Lough Neagh and other affected water bodies, was launched in August.
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said:
“Phase one has delivered encouraging results, further research and development is however essential to validate these models at scale and ensure their commercial viability.
“The environmental challenges facing Lough Neagh cannot be resolved by any single organisation or sector. A collaborative, science-led, and sustained approach is required – one that unites communities, government, industry, and environmental experts.
“Whilst this further research is taking place, I am committed to taking forward the Lough Neagh Action Plan at pace. Restoring the lough and improving water quality across Northern Ireland requires sustained effort and investment.
“My vision is for a healthy, resilient environment with consistently high water standards. I remain fully committed to taking decisive action to protect and enhance our waterways.”