January 2008 eNews
Highlights include, WALIS International Forum 2008: early bird registration extended, WALIS associate members and SSI - RS&P Commission & WIS Scholarships.
What’s Happening in the WALIS Community?
WALIS International Forum 2008: early bird registration extended!
SLIP Enabler Developer Partner Program
State Land Information Capture Program (SLICP) for 2008/2009
WALIS Stakeholders in the News
SSI - RS&P Commission & WIS Scholarships
Government Announces Review of National Innovation System
Gnangara Mound Acidity Study Begins
Australian Angle
Australia Piloting GPS-Based Control of Vehicle Speed
News from Around the Globe
Climate Change and the Emerging Role of Land Use
British Charity Backs use of Electronic Tagging of Dementia Patients
New Centre for Urban Development and Land Policy
Satellites Build a Picture of the Past
Upcoming Events
Details of events in Australia and around the world
Interesting Website of the Month
What’s Happening in the WALIS Community?
WALIS International Forum 2008: early bird registration extended!
Early bird registration has been extended! The WALIS International Forum 2008 will be held at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre on 12-14 March 2008. New to this Forum is an improved trade exhibition layout, interactive futurist discussion, FME Chillout Zone, five streams of concurrent sessions and a Teachers Stream. Early bird registration has been extended until 4 February 2008, so visit http://www.walis.wa.gov.au/forum/registration to register now.
For more information, visit the Forum website at www.walis.wa.gov.au/forum or email forum@walis.wa.gov.au.
SLIP Enabler Developer Partner Program
Landgate is currently working to develop partnerships with organisations possessing spatial expertise. The aim is to assist end users in optimising their use of SLIP Enabler services.
SLIP Enabler delivers a reservoir of information that is well placed to serve clients with spatial information needs. The technical specifications of SLIP Enabler allows developers to make complex spatial information accessible within a wide array of GIS applications.
The SLIP Developer Partner Program provides a level of support and service that will assist organisations in creating custom business solutions for their clients. Through utilising and customising SLIP Enabler services, they can help their clients make better informed decisions, reduce costs and access the latest government information when needed.
Contact Darren Mottolini at Landgate for further information. Email darren.mottolini@landgate.wa.gov.au or call 08 9273 0931.
Late in 2007, WALIS Executive Policy Committee endorsed a new Associate Member category for WALIS. To date, some 15 organisations have either expressed an interest or have joined WALIS as an associate member. For further information, please visit the WALIS website.
The WALIS Advisory Committee has welcomed four new members Paul Harris, Rebecca Handcock; Giles Nunis and Tom Gardner. WALIS also thanks the outgoing members Richard Bentley, Harvey Tipping and Phil Poole for their support and commitment. For more information on WAC visit the WALIS Advisory Committee — section of the WALIS website.
State Land Information Capture Program (SLICP) for 2008/ 2009
The annual call out for SLICP been met with a great response so far. Especially the simplified application package. This year, we are strongly emphasising that ANY and ALL spatial data to be used in the next financial year (2008-2009) be listed through SLICP regardless of whether it may or may not be captured via SLICP mechanisms. This will enable Landgate and WALIS to better gauge the potential size of SLICP. Even if you think, “I won’t put in an application because they capture the metro area anyway”, we would encourage you to do so anyway. Future funding may be at stake so please enter ANY and ALL requests this year! Contact Dan Sandison for more information on 9273 7037 or dan.sandison@walis.wa.gov.au.
Interragator+ is now live: https://www2.landgate.wa.gov.au/interragatorplus/.
The next meeting will be held on the 31st of January 2008. The current Terms of Reference will be discussed as well as finalising the afternoon sessions for the WALIS Forum Marine Cadastre workshop to be held on 12 March 2008. Jenny Smith has taken over from Karen Barns as coordinator of the Marine group. We would like to thank Karen for her valuable input in the development of the WALIS Marine Group. For more information visit the website: http://www.walis.wa.gov.au/projects_and_activities/WALIS_Marine_Group/index.html
WALIS Stakeholders in the News
SSI - RS&P Commission & WIS Scholarships
Application procedures for the two SSI scholarships worth $2,200 each, can be found on the WinGIT website. Eligibility is outlined in each of the flyers. Applications close 28 March 2008. If you have any questions please contact Renee Bartolo at renee.bartolo@environment.gov.au
Government Announces Review of National Innovation System
The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, today announced a wide ranging review of Australia's national innovation system to be conducted by an expert panel chaired by Dr Terry Cutler… The panel will include Professor Mary O’Kane, who will be charged with the specific task of reviewing the Cooperative Research Centres Program. Minister - Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Gnangara Mound Acidity Study Begins
The Department of Environment and Conservation has begun a study to determine the extent of soil and ground water acidity within Perth’s largest water source. To read the whole media release Click here
Australian Angle
Australia Piloting GPS-Based Control of Vehicle Speed Victoria, Australia, has begun trials this month on a GPS-based speed limiting device for vehicles. Titled the "Australasian Intelligent Speed Adaptation Initiative" the technology -- to be installed first in government vehicles as a pilot project -- keeps track of where the vehicle is located, and the speed limit at that location. GovernmentTechnology
New Map of Australia
Geoscience Australia has revised its popular 1:5,000,000 scale map of Australia. Entitled Australia 1:5,000,000 General Reference Map: fifth edition. Geoscience Australia
Natural Hazards in Australia
Australian communities have a long-standing relationship with natural disaster; hazards such as bushfires, floods, and even earthquakes have become a part of this country's history.
With the support of the Department of Transport and Regional Services (now part of Emergency Management Australia - EMA), Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO, Geoscience Australia (GA) has produced a report describing the historical impact of natural hazards on our country, highlighting the importance of risk analyses and identifying the roles played in managing these hazards. Geoscience Australia
News From Around the Globe
The USGS is pleased to announce that Landsat 5 resumed imaging on January 10, 2008. Landsat 5 imaging was suspended on October 6, 2007 due to a battery cell failure with one of its two working batteries. To read on visit the website USGS Landsat Project
Climate Change and the Emerging Role of Land Use
The role of land use patterns and cities has emerged as a critical element in strategies to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. A forum 1 November 2007 in Boston explored how metropolitan and regional growth policies and climate action plans can address climate change. “At a time when climate change and energy efficiency are more and more on people’s minds, our goal is to bring a sharp focus on the land use component in addressing global warming,” said Armando Carbonell, senior fellow and chair of the Department of Planning and Urban Form at the Lincoln Institute.
(GLTN)
British Charity Backs use of Electronic Tagging of Dementia Patients
Proposed electronic tagging of dementia sufferers, with their agreement, has been backed by a key British charity http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/27/2127981.htm
New Centre for Urban Development and Land Policy
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and Peking University have established the Center for Urban Development and Land Policy on the campus of the university in Beijing. Joyce Yanyun Man, director of the Lincoln Institute’s China program, will serve as executive director. “With this center we seek to develop institutional capacity in China to address the many challenges that the country’s rapid growth has for land,” said Gregory K. Ingram, president of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. “We want to continue to strengthen China’s expertise in land policy and planning for urban development, through research, fellowships and training.”
Satellites Build a Picture of the Past
Gone are the days of a fearless Indiana Jones battling through the jungle in search of ancient treasures. Today's archaeologists are using high-tech tools - from NASA satellites to Google Earth - to do the hard work for them.
To read on visit Cosmos Magazine
Upcoming Events
ESRI Asia Pacific User Conference
17-18 January 2008, Tokyo, Japan
For more information visit the ESERI website.
Global Workshop on High Resolution Digital Soil Sensing and Mapping
5-8 February 2008, University of Sydney, Sydney
The aim of the workshop is to identify potentially useful technologies for measuring and
predicting key soil properties. The workshop is to bring together researchers from various disciplines, including soil science, agricultural engineering, geophysics, spectroscopy, agronomy, spatial statistics, as well as commercial entities involved in the development and use of proximal sensors and digital soil maps. The applications of these techniques could be for example, Precision Agriculture and Soil Contamination but also any other applications, where there is a particular need for high spatial resolution (10 m or less) information. Enquiries to Alex McBratney <a.mcbratney@usyd.edu.au>, or visit their website
GIS and Location Intelligence Summit
20-21 February 2008, Liquid Learning, Melbourne
This summit explores how leading organisations are harnessing the value of Location Intelligence and GIS to enhance planning and improve service delivery.
<marketing@liquidlearning.com.au> on +61-2-9437-1093; www.liquidlearning.com.au.
Data Quality - Aligning Strategy and Technology
29 April- 1 May, 2008, Luna Park Sydney
There are a number of high-profile organisations attending including: NAB, Telstra, ATO, Allens Arthur Robinson, Dept of Defence. Attendants will be able to hear Keynote speakers on the latest advances in the data quality space. In addition there are two streams of presentations technical and strategy to choose from. For more information visit the conference website at http://www.dqasiapacific.com/index.htm or email
Queensland Spatial Conference 2008 - Global Warning: What's Happening in Paradise
17-19 July 2008, Spatial Sciences Institute, Surfers Paradise
The purpose of this Conference is to identify the threat, present factual arguments, provide innovative methods of spatial analysis/monitoring and to develop sustainable solutions to a phenomenon that is now a household name but not very well understood. The QSC2008 Conference will facilitate the opportunity for spatial professionals to provide sound solutions to the potential effects of global warming.
Enquiries to Susan Harris <qsc2008@absoluteevents.com.au> on +61-7-3394 2310; www.qsc2008.com.au/.
Australasian Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Conference
29 Sep-3 October, 14th; Spatial Sciences Institute, Darwin
Enquiries to +61-2-6282-2282; <info@spatialsciences.org.au>; www.14arspc.com.
WALIS International Forum 2008
12-14 March 2008, Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, Perth
Registrations for the WALIS International Forum 2008 will open very soon! WALIS Forum is one of the premier GIS events in Australia, attracting over 650 participants from a diverse range of professions. For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.walis.wa.gov.au/forum/ or email forum@walis.wa.gov.au to register your interest.
Interesting Website of the Month
Integrated Marine Observing System
The Integrated Marine Observing System, (IMOS), is a nation-wide collaborative program designed to observe the oceans around Australia, including the coastal oceans and the ‘bluewater’ open oceans. IMOS will provide data to support research on many of the critical marine issues facing Australia, including climate change and sustainability of ecosystems. IMOS is funded under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy. Access to IMOS data will be free, open and timely through electronic Marine Information Infrastructure (emII).The IMOS website allows you to find out about the array of
Visit the IMOS website: http://imos.org.au/
Disclaimer: The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general information purposes. It does not constitute professional or expert advice and you must not use or rely upon it for that purpose. WALIS and the State of Western Australia, do not guarantee and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy, currency, completeness and reliability of the information contained in this newsletter. The opinions contained in the information do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WALIS or the State of Western Australia. Links to other Internet sites are provided for your convenience only and they do not constitute an endorsement, approval or recommendation of the material contained in those other Internet sites. It is your responsibility to evaluate the relevance, accuracy, completeness and reliability of material contained in those other Internet sites.