In collaboration with the City of Greater Bendigo, the first cohort of Master of IoT students have created high-tech sensors for recording data about the creek and its tributaries - including water quality and movement.

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Head of La Trobe University's technology and innovation lab Dr Simon Egerton said the project would enhance the students' skills in using the technology, while helping improve one of Bendigo's most significant assets.

"They are developing a better understanding of the practical components of technology design - such as project management, storing and reporting data, and ethical concerns," he said.

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"For the last 18 months, the students have been using cutting-edge technology and innovative techniques to solve problems.

"That their work will benefit an important community asset like the Bendigo Creek is a huge bonus."

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The seven students have created two prototypes of water-monitoring sensors, which will be trialled at strategic points along the creek in coming weeks.

"We were approached by council and Simon to develop a prototype that will be able to measure water flow, water clarity and pH levels," third year Master of IoT student Seshandra Sivakumar Kappula said.

"The sensors are put into the water and collects the data. From there it is put into our cloud and we can analyse and pass this information onto council, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning or anyone else.

"With this technology, we are able to tell the appropriate body where and what improvements need to be made to help the environment."

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City of Greater Bendigo senior water strategy officer Liam Sibly said he hoped the sensors would support council's Reimagining Bendigo Creek plan.

"As part of our long-term plan to revitalise the creek's ecosystems, we are planning to re-naturalise the creek and install water sensitive urban design infrastructure throughout the catchment," he said.

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"It's critical that we can measure the health of the creek and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.

"IoT technology will give us greater intelligence in real time."

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The sensors operate through Bendigo's open-source Internet of Things network, which was established in 2018 through a La Trobe and City of Greater Bendigo partnership project.

If successful, the sensors could be developed further for use across other local government areas.

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