Not so long ago, Bundeena and Maianbar residents leaving for work in the early hours did not know what to expect at Audley weir during periods of extreme rainfall.
If the road over the weir was closed due to flooding, a detour was required via Waterfall, which could prolong trips by up to an hour.
All this changed with the installation of a "live traffic" camera next to the weir, which provides up-to-the-minute website images for motorists planning to drive through that area.
The state government's Transport Management Centre installed the camera on the northern side of the weir, looking south-east.
As well as being of benefit to motorists, the camera enables officers at the centre to monitor traffic volumes and conditions, especially during flooding.
A spokeswoman for Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) said the camera began operating at the end of 2013.
Bundeena Progress Association vice-president Wayne King praised the new system but said it had not been promoted very well.
PRESS OF A BUTTON
Wayne King said the web camera was ‘‘a huge step forward’’.
‘‘It is part of a fully integrated warning system, which includes solar-powered slat boards at Loftus, Waterfall and the top of Bundeena Drive,’’ he said.
‘‘The board signs can be changed with the press of a button by an operator in the Transport Management Centre at Eveleigh, near Redfern.
‘‘Warnings that the weir is closed will also be shown on variable message signs as far away as Kirrawee.’’
Mr King said before the changes residents had to rely on ‘‘an antiquated goodwill system’’ operated by the Audley boatshed.
‘‘A float switch triggered an impulse on the boatshed telephone, which warned the weir was going under,’’ he said.
‘‘They would come down to secure boats and call the RMS at Greenacre, who would dispatch a crew to manually activate the signs advising the weir was closed. The whole process could take two hours!’’