spatially enabling australia & new zealand · spatial enablement through broader adoption and...

CRC for SPATIAL INFORMATION

SPAT IALLY ENABL ING AUSTRAL IA & NEW ZEALAND

CRC for SPATIAL INFORMATION w w w . c r c s i . c o m . a u

CRCSI will bring rapid and powerful collaboration on critical research and education issues that involve spatial aspects, and accelerate the take-up of spatial technologies by end-users.

CRCSI will spawn major innovation and productivity advances in key industry sectors:

agriculture, natural resources & climate change

defence

energy & utilities

health

sustainable urban planning

CRCSI assembles a formidable array of partners and stakeholder supporters, including

ANZLIC

ANZLIC’s member jurisdictions

70 companies in 43pl, our SME consortium

Universities and other research institutions

Spatial Industries Business Association - the peak industry association

Surveying & Spatial Sciences Institute - the peak professional body

Australian Spatial Consortium

CRCSI has projected resources of over $20 million per annum and a complete vertical integration of markets, technologies and implementation agencies.

Spatial information is central to addressing the serious challenges we face today. It is as essential to society as energy and roads. Eighty per cent of government decisions involve spatial information.

The potential for further practical and creative uses, leading to improved productivity and innovation, is limitless. But it can only be achieved through a spatially enabled Australia and New Zealand, where everyone has affordable access to location-specific data and information from anywhere for social or economic purposes.

The first objective is to create a coordinated national network of satellite system reference stations to permit real-time positioning to 2cm accuracy; that is to provide precise information on the positions of people, vehicles, built infrastructure and natural assets across the nation. Allen Consulting estimates the cumulative gross benefit to Australia from this development is at least $32 billion over 20 years. Realising such a network requires substantial research to optimise use of existing and new reference stations, including the 75 positioning satellites being launched by Europe, Russia, China, Japan and India over the next five years.

The second objective is to establish a fully functioning marketplace for spatial information, the ‘ANZ Spatial Marketplace’. This will enable government agencies to lift the licensing, governance and technical restrictions on providing the vast stores of government-held spatial data to the open market and to encourage other users to trade and value-add their data as well.

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Research Program Summary

CRC for SPATIAL INFORMATION

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Further information Dr Peter Woodgate [email protected] Mike Ridout [email protected]

+61 3 8344 9200 | www.crcsi.com.au | [email protected]

Project areas

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Research projects will be developed in

Computational procedures and error mitigation

Integrity, quality and reliability

Advanced processing systems

Positioning infrastructure

Geodetic foundations

Further information

POSIT IONING

The user-driven research of the Positioning Program will benefit Australia through accelerated and coordinated access to new GNSS/RNSS satellite signals, and through a new National Positioning Infrastructure. The Program will target high accuracy applications of multi-GNSS/RNSS technologies for use in sectors such as precision agriculture, construction and machine guidance.

The Program outcomes will feed into and be directed by the various application activities of the CRCSI.

John [email protected]

02 6249 9111

Next Generation GNSS/RNSSoptimal utilisation of new satellite signals

National Broadband Networka robust communications infrastructure

National Positioning Infrastructuremeeting diverse user needs

Research Issues��

Real timeSolution IntegrityLong range, true 3D positioningNational Positioning InfrastructureApplications

Program ObjectiveInstantaneous GNSS/RNSS positioning anywhere, anytime, with the highest possible accuracy and the highest possible integrity



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Further information Professor Clive Fraser [email protected]

+61 3 8344 9200 | www.crcsi.com.au

AUTOMATED SPATIAL INFORMATION GENERATION

General Description

Program Themes

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Project Areas

The aim of the program is to advance the science and technology of spatial information generation

through enhanced sensor-to-user data processing and automated feature extraction. The identity,

location, characteristics and geometric and semantic attributes of various natural and man-made

features need to be extracted from sensor data and stored within feature databases, since these

constitute the ‘foundation data’ and ‘information’ that is required to build maps and other value-added

spatial information products for a host of applications.

Research into automated feature extraction from fused spatial data obtained with integrated

multi-sensor systems, focussing on the development of frameworks of hybrid models that

integrate object-oriented and pixel-based feature extraction approaches for both man-made

features and vegetation parameters.

Applied research embracing the development of feature extraction algorithms, computational

tools and processes for accurate feature database building in end-user specified application

domains in the areas of defence mapping, homeland security, utility asset management, urban

planning and modelling, carbon accounting, agriculture and natural resource management.

Research and development to support the application of new data acquisition systems for feature

extraction in spatial information. This includes metric sensor modelling, calibration, sensor

orientation and geopositioning and development of the necessary mathematical models and

computational processes needed to generate the data products from which cartographic features

are subsequently extracted.

Two main research projects are proposed, with each having sub-project themes and applications:

Project 1: Automated cartographic feature extraction from integrated imagery, laser scanning and

sensor network technologies, for application areas including digital topographic database updating and

change detection; extraction of powerline infrastructure and vegetation for asset management in the

energy industry; and feature detection for asset recording and mapping from mobile digital imaging

systems and laser scanning.

Project 2: Feature extraction for landform monitoring, landscape modelling and medium scale

topographic mapping and defence and security applications from InSAR and high-resolution imaging

sensors. Application areas include automated vegetation mapping and biomass estimation for carbon

accounting, agriculture and tropical forest inventory and feature extraction from high-resolution satellite

imaging systems for urban planning, monitoring, change detection and modelling.



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SPATIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Further information Kylie Armstrong

[email protected] 168 419

This program will underpin Australia’s need to develop a national spatial data infrastructure strategy that is endorsed by all key sectors. The vision is to deliver the value of spatial information to our nation’s decision makers through end-user ready spatial infrastructure.

Spatial enablement through broader adoption and capability extension of spatial information infrastructures will drive high-yielding efficiency reforms across industry sectors. Spatial infrastructure should deliver information to decision makers in a timely and easily utilised form. The Spatial Infrastructure program offers Australia the opportunity to harness government information infrastructure investment, industry partner expertise and world leading research to deliver the benefits of spatial awareness. The program will:

Conduct research in the elements required for a robust spatial resource marketplace

increase access to spatial information by government, business, academia and the broader community

leverage existing national spatial infrastructure investment

inform nation-wide policy, regulation and standards development

develop algorithms and online services that promote industry growth

create more dynamic and integrated information infrastructure to support and facilitate national collaboration and growth

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AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES CLIMATE CHANGE

ANRCC is focused on a whole-of-landscape approach to land management. This theme recognises the role of biomass yield and quality, biodiversity and habitat as necessary indicators of enviro-economic sustainability and improvement for government and commercial land managers alike. In recognising the importance of enterprise in driving ground-up development and adoption of sustainability paradigms, the theme’s focus areas will develop spatially-based measurement, monitoring, management and market-enabling tools for commercial and government land managers to better meet the needs of climate change.

The theme is being structured to improve the capacity of Australia’s rural land base to maximize output of commercial and non-commercial environmental services.

The objective of the research and development undertaken in this theme is to improve our ability to respond to climate change and to understand how rural landscapes are adapting to climate change due to both natural and human-induced changes.

Background

Climate Change & Whole-of-Landscape Management

Environmental Management & MonitoringFocus Area A

Biomass BusinessFocus Area B

Farm Enterprise ToolkitFocus Area C

Work Packages1. Whole-of-landscape accounting2. Landscape Health3. Monitoring & influencing climate change adaptation

Work Packages1. Water-use Efficiency / Soil Moisture Content2. Pasture Use Efficiency/Optimal Pastures

Work Package1. Virtual Australia Spatial Farm Management System

"Universal" Work Package1. High Quality Biomass Inventory

Common to all of the Focus Areas is the need to know the quantity and type of vegetation on the landscape. The Universal Work Package (far right) will undertake activities that enable the production of a high quality biomass inventory. The goal of the Universal Work Package is to be able to efficiently and economically map the amount of carbon present over all land types, soil carbon for agricultural areas, and carbon by species composition and structure for forested areas.

Environmental Management & Monitoring is targeted at Australian public land agencies. The work will:

1. Establish a web-based software system that will facilitate environmental monitoring and reporting at spatial, temporal, and taxonomic scales appropriate for public agencies concerned with landscape management. This software system will establish data standards and maintain and update core data sets that are fundamental to environmental monitoring and reporting. Flexible developmental

capability will be an inherent part of this to enable the addition of organisation-specific reporting and monitoring modules.

2. Enable multi-temporal whole-of-landscape reporting functionality for rapid assessment of trends in environmental health with an emphasis on benchmarking land characteristics critical for environmental services such as biodiversity and water.

3. Create a monitoring system that uses fused multi-temporal spatial and socio-economic data to monitor natural and human landscape changes.

Biomass Business is targeted at large industrial agricultural business. The work will:

1. Provide multi-temporal maps of soil moisture content for crop and pasture areas to improve water use efficiency.

2. Link temporal assessment of pasture condition to stock movement to improve livestock management.

Farm Enterprise Toolkit is targeted at directly at small-to-medium farm enterprises. The work will use the system developed in Focus Area A to create farm-specific functionality. Farmers will have access to historical and up-to-date data (including those produced by the Focus Area B work packages), economic analysis, and modeling results to improve their ability to manage farms. Provision will also be made to encourage farmers to input up-to-date farm management information.

The Universal Work Package / High Quality Biomass Inventory is a necessary input for all focus areas. Landscape management is increasingly driven by a need to have better information about biomass with a particular focus on woody biomass. This work will provide the capability to have an inventory of woody biomass with a high spatial resolution in three dimensions. It will also produce better tree species discrimination to provide for improved monitoring of biodiversity and natural responses to climate change.

Dave Lamb [email protected]

Kim Lowell [email protected] Further information



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Further information Clive Fraser [email protected]

D E F E N C E

Australia spends in excess of $22 billion per annum

on Australian Defence Organisation (Defence)

activity, with that expenditure forecast to increase

annually by 3.5%. Australia will be looking

increasingly to the spatial sector to leverage from its

expertise and research capabilities.

The past decade has seen considerable changes

and enhancements to the use of spatial information

within Australia’s national Defence and Security agencies, contributing to the rapid increase in the volume, availability, and sophistication of

spatial data acquisition and access mechanisms. Among many examples, these changes can be seen in the centralisation of spatial data

procurement, storage and dissemination processes, the integration of spatially referenced Full Motion Video (FMV), and the adoption of next

generation radar satellite derived imagery. The increased complexity and depth of information available has been matched by a growing

appreciation of the value and necessity of spatial information within existing and proposed future decision making frameworks and processes.

As spatial data and information becomes more embedded in decision making frameworks, there is greater expectation to improve the efficiency

and effectiveness of its availability and use. However, the conditions of increased use and dependence upon spatial information have revealed

several key issues and limitations obstructing the continued development and improvement of spatial information. These issues are largely

concerned with the management, storage and use of spatial information data, and are closely tied to the theme of more efficient and effective use

of information and communications technologies (ICT).

This period of enhanced spatial information usage coincides with

a key decision that Australia will have to make regarding space

based observation and surveillance. While Australia does not own any

space-based infrastructure that would permit (free and) unhindered

access to imagery and geospatial information, there are some 60 other

nations, many within South-East Asia, that can do so for their own purposes. In

this regard, Australia needs to reconsider the level of autonomy that it wishes to

exercise over access to, and control of, space based derived information that

critically contributes to our Defence and Security capabilities, including for reasons of

national sovereignty.



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Further information

E N E R G Y & U T I L I T I E S

There are 14 electrical transmission and distribution organisations currently operating in Australia with a

regulated asset base of $26.28 billion and a capital expenditure of $13.26 billion. Capital works currently

under construction in South East Queensland alone is in excess of $4.75 billion. Delivery of this power is

by way of a vast infrastructure including 750,000km of lines, 4.5 million power poles and approximately

16,000 towers.

Effective management of the network and its ability to meet safety, reliability and quality of service

demands is an increasingly difficult and challenging task in the context of ageing infrastructure,

increasing power demands and bushfire risk (climate change), security, political and societal demands

(carbon footprint), regulatory and legislative reforms and the financial realities around bottom line

returns.

Transmission and distribution organisations need and seek technologies that will support and assist

them in meeting challenges in the following key areas

the transformation to an intelligent utility network paradigm whereby utilities can view the health

and status of the entire network in near real time and implement cost effective and optimised

asset management practice.

better understanding of climate change and carbon neutral strategies and adaptation of the network and information management needs to

meet these changes.

liaising and securing support with the developing national energy sector regulator to facilitate and underpin a culture of innovation in

emerging technologies and a nationally coordinated approach to research investment.

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Powerline detection and automated removal of artefacts, in this case a parallel fence-line

Height estimation algorithms based on optical-flow

Power pole extraction and geo-location


George Curran CRCSI

[email protected] 0431 041 336


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Collaborating Agencies

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Initial projects will meet the urgent demand of end-users, eg

WA Department of Health

Queensland Cancer Council

Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

Additional partners will be incorporated and the range of projects expanded over time.

Research Theme Research Question

Health Spatial Data InfrastructureHow to overcome restrictive administrative boundaries and link health information with related spatial datasets efficiently?

Spatial Statistical ModelsCan the estimate of small-area risk estimates be improved and how to model health phenomena over space and time?

Geo-analytical VisualisationIs it possible to provide an intelligent web portal for end-users to spatially visualise health risk while preserving patient privacy?

National Education Program

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Health Data Linkage courses to include a Spatial Analysis module

‘GIS in Health’ short courses to wide audience

PhDs and Masters in Spatial Health

International exchange program

Further information

H E A L T H

The spatial health program will deliver better ways to

Research

Produce evidence

All stages of policy development and decision-making require timely access to information on health outcomes, the population, and associated risk factors such as smoking, physical activity and the wider environment. Spatial technology allows these diverse subjects to be considered in a single framework. Subsequent analysis can uncover new relationships.

Communicate ideas

Risk needs to be communicated effectively amongst health professionals and to release health information to a wider audience in the non-government health sector, other government agencies and the general public. Effectively visualising health risk and its relationship to other phenomena - while maintaining patient privacy - is one of the challenges facing health agencies today and is a key component of this program. The result will be a view of health risk as never before seen in Australia, providing a rich resource for health planners, policy developers and health practitioners around the country.

In Australia there have been world-class academic studies that have used spatial statistics in health research. But the adoption of such models and the broader range of spatial technology are limited. The program team has sought to identify issues which prevent health agencies from achieving efficiency improvements through the use of spatial information. The result is a focus on three complementary areas of research that will tackle a range of health issues.


Narelle MullanProgram Manager

CRCSI Health Program0418 910 940

[email protected]


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SUSTAINABLE URBAN PLANNING

Further information

Half of the world’s population lives in cities. In twenty years, there will be 5 billion urban dwellers. With inefficient transport systems and poorly designed developments, many cities consume enormous quantities of fossil fuels and emit high levels of greenhouse gases.

Intelligent planning and leadership based on sophisticated spatial awareness of sustainable development planning can help cities meet the impending crises of over-crowding; dormitory suburbs; unaffordable living; etc.

This CRCSI program will research, trial and demonstrate a new approach to achieving sustainable urban development based on new spatial information technologies and tools and explore new theories such as agglomeration economies.

It will devise spatial sustainability indicators, metrics, decision rules models and standards that will create a fact-based approach, driven by sustainability outcomes, to support decision making in urban development. The program will also create tools that transform the ability of planners and regulators to communicate across the tiers of government, to one another, and with their key client bases.

This work will analyse how Australian urban agglomeration economies contribute to productivity. The way that centres provide productivity gains is now well established globally and benefit-cost ratios on all urban infrastructure projects are meant to identify the way that they contribute to these productivity gains. Up to now no agglomeration elasticities have been calculated on Australian cities.

The use of Building Information Management systems linked to GIS is now a mainstream process and is contributing to productivity improvements in the built environment professions. Our project will extend this into urban planning by showing how groups of buildings in areas can be examined in a similar spatial information system. The value of having such a tool is that all the data on an area can be combined to allow developers and agencies to assess the best areas for development and the best way of doing that urban development. SUSIS would constitute a collaborative initiative of CRCSI with its key government partners at state and federal (and in time municipal) level. It will improve the availability/access of information needed to design, implement and monitor metropolitan plans as they relate to urban regeneration, intensification, environmental sustainability, liveability and competitiveness.

The most obvious result from the economic analysis is that Australian cities need to be regenerated in the declining middle suburbs. This is where many planners now see the important areas that need to have new centres and where most of the coming population could be directed.

The models for regenerating brownfields (inner areas, often old industrial/warehousing areas like Docklands) and developing greenfields (on the urban fringe) are well known. But the middle suburbs, where the building stock is ready for redevelopment and the infrastructure is poor, are mostly privately owned and require new approaches to redevelop. There are many spatially based research questions and technologies such as visualisation to be pursued.

The results from the Program will provide Australian cities with the tools that they need to enable the next phase of urban development to be more cost effective, less carbon intensive, more equitable, more attractive as a place to live and work, and more productive.

Spatial Understanding of Australian Urban Economics

A Shared Urban Spatial Information System (SUSIS)

Spatial Tools for Urban Regeneration: Greening the Greyfields

Roman Trubka

Program Manager, Sustainable Urban [email protected]



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Further information

43pl

“43pl gives us an unprecedented opportunity to bring the small corporates and researchers

together in a rapidly growing industry.” 43pl company member

Further information Mike Ridout [email protected]

+61 417 908 180 | www.crcsi.com.au/43pl

Industry is a key part of the CRCSI. 43 Pty Ltd (43pl) is a company set up to facilitate CRC participation by a large number of SMEs.

Award-winning 43pl breaks new ground in small company engagement in the CRC Program. 43pl now has 70 company members spread across the nation. Each gains benefits equivalent to having a full Essential Participant status in the CRCSI and its many industry development and research activities.

43pl companies are embedded in all CRCSI strategic planning, governance, research, and commercialisation. Other interactions occur at internal networking conferences and through special 43pl and user workshops.

Since 2004, members report having benefited most from

Project participation and access IP for commercial and business use

Invaluable networking – to other companies, government and academia

Rapid awareness of new technologies (sector-wide)

Australia’s most extensive network of experts nationally and overseas

Largest brokerage service for public-private partnerships in the spatial industry

Unparalleled access to R&D development teams of critical mass, tailored to specific needs

Funding for technology and service development

Opening up new markets

Flexible IP/commercial arrangements with easy entry and exit mechanisms

Facilitated access to seed and venture capital funding

Value adding industry forum

Upskilling – access to scholarships, short courses, private briefings

Channel of closed tenders and contracts

43pl manages the trust; companies buy units annually (as their contributions through to the CRCSI) and have a beneficial interest in the trust assets held by 43pl and hence of the CRCSI joint venture.

There is a board of seven Directors (with regional representation for communications purposes):

Chair – Tony Wheeler

Qld – Jack de Lange

Vic & Tas – Rob Rowell

NSW – Ed Garvin

SA – Jim Curnow

WA – Chris Earls

NZ & International – Simon Jellie

Benefits of 43pl Membership

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Structure

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w w w . c r c s i . c o m . a u

spatially enabling australia & new zealand · spatial enablement through broader adoption and...

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