July 2007 eNews
Highlights include WALIS International forum 2008, SLIP Update, SSIWA Annual regional Conference and ARGO Floats.
What’s Happening in the WALIS Community?
Proposed WA Emergency Services Directory Map Grid
Spatial Technology in Schools (STIS) Competition
WALIS Stakeholders in the News
SSIWA Annual Regional Conference
AusDEM: The Shared Digital Representation of Australia's Landform and Seabed
Australian Angle
ARGO Floats: Automated Divers of the Deep
Details of Events in Minerals Map Has New Dimensions
New Australian Place Name Data Now Available
News from Around the Globe
Extreme Weather Monitoring Boosted by Space Sensor
Upcoming Events
Interesting Website of the Month
Details of events in Australia and around the world.What’s Happening in the WALIS Community?
SLIP Enabling Framework
The replacement of WA
Atlas & Interragator is nearly complete. The ‘Enabler’ Launch to government
is set for August 2007. Currently there are 13 Connected Agencies and 131
datasets available through the Enabling Framework. By the time of the launch
there should be: 15
agencies connected; and
over 200 datasets available. SLIP has had over 570 individual,
agency and business user self-registrations as at 31 May 2007.
This before the launch has even happened. There were 350,000 hits recorded for
the Enabler for the month of May 2007. Operational Level Agreements governing
service provision and use have been drafted. There is currently a big focus on
setting Landgate operational procedures in place for delivery of EF.
WALIS Forum 2008
The
WALIS International Forum 2008 will be held on 12-14 March at the Perth
Convention Exhibition Centre. The
program includes interactive workshops designed to challenge and stimulate
participants. In addition, there will be
high-profile international and national keynote speakers broaching a range of
relevant and topical subjects. The
program will be complemented by a trade exhibition, which will give delegates
the opportunity to see exciting new developments in technology. To further enhance the interactivity, an
invitation is now extended to the wider community for the submission of
abstracts. This invitation represents a
unique opportunity to share your knowledge, experience and insight. For suggested topics for papers or to submit
your abstract, visit the forum call for
papers page. Submissions close 28 September 2007 so get your abstract
in today!
Proposed WA
Emergency Services Directory Map Grid
As part of the requirements for the Emergency Services
Directory (ESD) mapping, Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) and
Department of Environment and Conservation are developing a new state wide map
grid for the A3 directory format. WALIS agencies and Geoscience Australia
have been asked to provide input to the grid and the feedback is now being
reviewed. For further details on the ESD and the proposed map grid, please
contact Mark Taylor or Brendan Power at FESA on (08) 9323 9300.
JPEG2000 Questionnaire
WALIS Council was
surveyed on JPEG2000
to investigate WALIS agency levels of preparedness for this technology. Results
have been collated and will be fed to WALIS Council and Landgate. These results
should also be made available on the WALIS website in the near future. For more
information please contact fiona.mccarthy@walis.wa.gov.au
Spatial
Technology in Schools (STIS) Competition
Bronwen Channon, Coordinator of the Spatial Technology in Schools
Competition, is seeking mentors for a school in Forrestdale that that has
recently registered for the Competition.
There are now 22 schools registered. Project ideas are ranging from
environmental, social, community, local school, and global issues.
If you are able to help please contact Bronwen
direct - 041 559 3772,
stiscomp@bigpond.com
or PO Box
390, Claremont, 6910.
The New Interragator+
The original 5 ASDD nodes will no
longer be used to group the records in the new Interragator+. The new
system will have all records in a single category. Briefing sessions have
been carried out in June for Interragator agency administrators in preparation
for the go live date in August. For further information regarding this
process please contact Diana Adorno on 9272 770
Insurance Industry Workshop
The outreach and
planning sub-committee held an insurance workshop last month to look at how
WALIS, the WA Government and the state’s insurance could work with the industry
in carrying Risk Assessments.
WALIS Stakeholders in the News
SSIWA Annual
Regional Conference
On
19th and 20th
July 2007 the Western Australian Spatial Sciences
Institute held what turned out to be their biggest and most successful Annual
Conference to date. Delegates numbered 140 on Thursday and 120 on the Friday,
and feedback was extremely positive. After analysing the formal feedback, SSI
Executive Officer and conference organiser Eugene Browne attributed the success
to an interesting and varied program supported by high quality speakers.
Many of the speakers were experts in their field, and some came from other States and New Zealand providing a useful mix of trends and ideas. The program was much broader than usual covering not only the popular cadastral surveying, but many of the other professional interests of SSI members including hydrography, geodesy, global positioning, instrumentation, mapping, information technology, spatial analysis, geographic information systems, laser scanning, remote sensing and engineering surveying. General interest topics covered included records management, occupational health and safety, writing skills, and global warming. Specific interests such as cadastral regulation reform and Strata Title issues were covered in separate workshops.
Geodesist Gary Johnson from Geoscience Australia said that the attendance on Friday morning was the biggest he had seen at a geodesy session in almost 4 years around Australia. His presentation on the re-emergence of the importance of geodetic infrastructure and the funding being thrown at it was quite astounding as was his update on the proliferation of countries all intent on establishing their own satellite navigation systems – the latest being China.
SSIWA Regional Chair Marnie Leybourne did a great job in introducing the 30 speakers over the 2 days and keeping them to their allocated time and in closing declared the conference a great success and a good example of how SSI can deliver quality CPD to its ever expanding membership.
A full report on the conference will be published soon, and materials will be available to members in due course through the SSIWA website at http://www.spatialsciences.org.au/state_wa/news.asp
WASEA Dinner
In
conjunction with the SSIWA Regional Conference, the Australian Spatial Industry
Business Association (ASIBA) and the Spatial Sciences Institute (SSI) held the
inaugural Western Australian Spatial Excellence Award dinner on Friday 20th
July at Frazers in Kings
Park.
The 135 attendees enjoyed a wonderful meal in great company, and a glittering array of prizes were presented to individual and industry winners in a wide range of categories.
Sponsors of the event were Landgate and NGIS (Platinum Sponsors), Fugro (Gold), Mc Mullen Nolan and Whelans (Silver), and Advanced Spatial Technologies and SKM (Bronze)
In opening the proceedings, Minister for Corrections and Small Business, Margaret Quirk emphasized the importance of Spatial Information to the economy of WA, the large contingent of small businesses in the industry, and the opportunities in the industry for the future.
A commemorative booklet was presented to all attendees containing details of all the winners and their projects and this information will be displayed on the ASIBA and SSI websites in the near future.
AusDEM:
The Shared Digital Representation of Australia's Landform and Seabed
ANZLIC
- the Spatial Information Council, with the support of the Australian
Greenhouse Office and Geoscience Australia, is sponsoring development
of a nationally coordinated DEM. A key element of the project is to
obtain stakeholder support and engagement and a number of steps will be taken
to achieve this aim, including developing a business plan to be used for
informed discussion about the need for a nationally coordinated DEM, developing
a user needs analysis and implementation plan, and gaining agreement on use of
applicable data standards and access arrangements.
Workshops will be held in each capital city and will provide the key means of obtaining stakeholder input to the project. To attend a workshop in your area, see the Jurisdictional Workshop Schedule
Where is the Data?
The SSI young
professionals held a seminar a month ago that proved to be a valuable insight on
where data is sourced and how the Shared Land Information Platform would affect
data usage across the W.A community. Darren Mottolini (SSI YP Chair) opened
proceedings and introduced Dan Sandison (WALIS), Grahame Searle (CEO-
Landgate) and Brett Madsen (Lagen Spatial) who talked the topic of data where
it is and how to access it.
Grahame Searle was able to provide a glimpse into the future of the upcoming Shared Land Information Platform (SLIP) for WA. He demonstrated to the audience why a Shared Land Information Platform is necessary to reduce costs, increase uptake and use of spatial data and even increase the accuracy of data. The event was well attended and addressed an interesting topic.
For more information contact darren.mottolini@landgate.gov.au
Sustainable Spatial Systems
Join NGIS
Australia in a topical discussion on the impact of climate change on industry
and the role of spatial technology and the internet in the long term management
of Australia's natural resources.
Dr. Ray Wills, Chair of the WA Sustainable
Energy Association and Manager Sustainability Services for SMEC, will share his
insights into the role that spatial can play in collecting and analysing data
to inform the Western Australian community, business and government sectors
about climate change. Maurits van der Vlugt, Principal
Consultant of NGIS Australia will focus on sustainable water management and the
role that spatial systems and the Internet are playing today and will play in
the future. For more information, see Upcoming Events in this edition, or
visit http://www.ngis.com.au/News/215.aspx
Voyages of Grand Discovery
Voyages
of grand discovery is now on display at the Western Australian Museum-
Maritime, and highlights some of the greatest expeditions relating to Western
Australia, from Dirk Hartog’s landing in 1616 through to Baudin’s expedition in
1801-1803.
Included in the exhibition will be rare maps, charts,, journals and paintings from the Museum’s collection as well as items from archival and private collections.
Among the treasures on display are two charts associated with William de Vlamingh’s voyage of 1697 that were recently acquired by National Library of Australia. These exquisite and colourful maps show the topography of Western Australia as well as the details of where de Vlamingh landed. In conjunction with the exhibition, the museum will host a series of lectures and school holiday activities based on 200 years of exploration of the Western Australian Coast.
For more information about the exhibition opening times and fees go to www.museum.wa.gov.au
Australian Angle
ARGO Floats: Automated Divers of the Deep
In oceans around Australia and the world, a growing armada of self-sustaining, autonomous floats is rapidly revolutionising the way oceans are studied. More like graceful sea turtles drifting with the deep sea currents than the pelagic birds who float above, these singular submersibles are taking the pulse of the oceans-measuring temperature and salinity –from inside the oceans themselves. To read on visit the IMOS website
Minerals
Map Has New Dimensions
Geoscience
Australia
has expanded the scope of its familiar 1:5 million scale map, Mines and Mineral
Deposits - Selected Commodities and Operating Status which is updated annually.
Geoscience
Australia
New Australian Place Name Data Now Available
Gazetteer of Australia 2006 provides information on
the location and spelling of 322,328 geographical names across Australia as of March 2006. Supply of data is coordinated by
the Intergovernmental
Committee on Surveying and Mapping (ICSM) and is derived from state,
territory, and Australian government agencies. Copyright of the gazetteer data
and postcode data resides with the relevant state, territory and Australian
government agencies who are custodians of the data. Geoscience Australia
Spatial
Victoria
Leading Victorian spatial information companies are joining forces to take
the State’s competitive edge in this technology to the next level, Information
& Communication Technology Minister, Tim Holding, said Monday.
Mr Holding announced the Bracks Government’s
funding of $100,000 to formally set up the new Spatial Victoria
cluster under the Government’s $1 million ICT Linkages Program
The companies comprising this new cluster are
already working well together, but this funding from the Bracks Government will
help them take the step up to the next level,” Mr Holding said.
Formalising Spatial Victoria
as a cluster will support the growth and competitiveness of the local spatial industry. Working co-operatively in a cluster
environment will provide both strength in numbers and credibility in national
and international dealings for the Victorian companies involved.” Multimedia
Victoria
News From Around the Globe
Extreme Weather Monitoring Boosted by Space Sensor
The first soil moisture maps with a spatial resolution of one km
are available online for the entire southern African subcontinent. As soil
moisture plays an important role in the global water cycle, these maps, based
on data from ESA’s Envisat satellite, will lead to better weather and
extreme-event forecasting, such as floods and droughts. To read on visit Sharing
Earth Observation Resources
First
Images From TerraSAR-X
Four days after the German radar satellite TerraSAR-X
has been launched from
the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the first satellite images
have been received.
Although the satellite will only reach its final
orbital position in ten days’ time, these data – recorded for test purposes
only. Over the next few months, the DLR’s TerraSAR-X team will be working
dedicatedly towards completing the calibration of the radar instrument and
optimising the data processing chain. GEO
Informatics
Statistics New Zealand
The
Minister of Statistics, Hon Clayton Cosgrove, announced in May 2007 that a
large range of Statistics New Zealand data and products will progressively be
made freely available during 2007 and 2008.
Budget 2007 allocated $6 million in operating funding over the next four years,
plus $2.7 million in capital funding for 2007/08, to make around 250 million
pieces of statistical. including information freely available. This information
will be valuable for businesses, local government, communities and the public. So
far this month five new statistical sets have been released to view them visit;
Statistics New Zealand [back to top]
Upcoming Events
NGIS Breakfast Series
2 August, 2007, Ascot, Perth
Join NGIS
Australia in a topical discussion on Sustainable Spatial Systems
The speakers
presenting are Dr. Ray Wills, Chair of the WA Sustainable
Energy Association and Manager Sustainability Services for SMEC and Maurits van der Vlugt, Principal Consultant
of NGIS Australia. The cost is $38 which includes a fully cooked breakfast.
Registration is at 7:15 for a 7:30 start.
ESRI Australia’s GIS Solutions for
Utilities
9 August 2007, Sofitel Hotel, Brisbane.
Having ready
access to information about location is at the core of managing a successful
utility. ESRI Australia’s free GIS
Solutions for Utilities event, held following the GITA Conference, will include
presentations and demonstrations by ESRI Australia, international experts and
local industry representatives. Hear
first-hand how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are moving beyond the
traditional asset and facilities management areas within utilities to extend
across the enterprise, and integrate with key corporate applications.
To find out more
about the event, or to register, visit the ESRI Australia website (link to www.esriaustralia.com.au) or email marketing@esriaustralia.com.au.
Spatial Information Day
Friday 10 August 2007
National Wine Centre of Australia, corner Botanic
and Hackney Roads, Adelaide
The
program for Spatial Information Day includes a range of interesting presentations
on spatial initiatives and activities, enabling attendees to broaden their
knowledge of significant new applications and developments in the spatial
community. Additionally, the day offers a networking opportunity
facilitating communication and professional development. SID 2007 will
feature high-level keynote and plenary sessions in the morning, followed by
concurrent presentation sessions in the afternoon.
For
more information or to register, visit http://www.spatialinformationday.org.au/index.html
Spatially
Enabled Government
14-15 August 2007, Hyatt Hotel, Canberra.
Spatially Enabled Government is the only event of its kind, specifically dedicated to discussing key issues and challenges with the use of spatial information in the Australian Government. The conference will feature case studies and presentations around the growing use of spatial data in the public sector. For more information, visit the conference website.
ESRI Australia Resources Symposium
28-29 August 2007, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth.
ESRI Australia’s inaugural Resources Symposium provides the perfect
opportunity for those from the mining and petroleum industries to find out from
international experts and leading industry figures how others in the resources
industry are using GIS to stay ahead in this competitive business. Symposium topics will range from facilitating
inter-office collaboration, managing environmental impacts, to integrating with
corporate systems.
To find out more, visit www.esriaustralia.com.au,
or email wheresolutions@esriaustralia.com.au.
GITA
Annual Conference
6-8
August 2007-04-18
Australia in
general and the utility sector in particular is facing challenges of great
complexity and on a scale never before seen in this country.
This
is particularly so in Queensland. South
East Queensland is the fastest growing region in Australia
experiencing unprecedented levels of capital expenditure on an unprecedented
number of infrastructure projects. It is fitting that Brisbane be the
venue for this year's premier asset management and spatial event.
For
more information visit the conference website at: Geospatial
Information & Technology Association Australia & New Zealand >
Events > GITA Annual Conference
CRCSI Annual Conference 2007
17-18 September 2007, Sydney.
Registration details will be advised soon. Provisional Program
includes: where we are at with the Rebid (themes and structures). Presentation
of the Supplementary Bid proposals / new projects.Selected project
presentations. Project posters, International presentation.The best networking
sessions on the national circuit.
OZRI 2007
15-17 October 2007,
Sydney Hilton Hotel, Sydney.
ESRI Australia’s national client conference, OZRI 2007, will
this year focus on the theme ‘GIS – Serving today’s demands’. Conference sessions will explore the current
imperatives and demands that are broadening the expectations and requirements
of today’s GIS, including evolving technology architectures and system
integration, increasing requirements for instant web access to GIS, and
ever-simplified interfaces to complex GIS work processes.
For more information about OZRI 2007, including online
registration, visit the conference website (link to www.esriaustralia.com.au/ozri),
or email ozri@esriaustralia.com.au.
WALIS
International Forum 2008
12-14 March 2008, Perth Convention
Exhibition Centre, Perth
The call for papers is now open!
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
Strange Maps
This is a blog
about curious cartography. One of the blog entries broaches the question all
Lord of the Rings enthusiasts need answered
“where
on earth is middle earth ? ”.
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.