Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

and Land Administration

© Warnest 2003

Collaboration: the key to development of National SDI

Mathew WarnestPhD Candidate, University of Melbourne

Department of Sustainability and Environment - Research Seminar

28th October 2004

National SDI development is underpinned by organisational collaboration between levels of governments and the private sector

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

and Land Administration

© Warnest 2003

Presentation Overview

• SDI Concept • Research Problem• Federal and State Case Study• National SDI in Australia • Results of Jurisdictional Questionnaire• Conclusions

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

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© Warnest 2003

SDI Concept

• Spatial information is an essential resource that underpins the economic, social and environmental interests of a nation

• Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) constitute a set of relationships and partnerships that enable data sharing, update and integration

• SDIs increase efficiency, reduce duplication of effort and support decision making of government and business

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

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© Warnest 2003

Research Problem• Duplication of effort, expense and current

institutional arrangements impede construction of a national infrastructure base for spatial information

• This study contributes to a gap in the knowledge on organisational based collaboration to share spatial information and resources

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

and Land Administration

© Warnest 2003

Components of SDI

Data: Fundamental Datasets

People: Communication, Partnerships

Institutional Framework: Policy, Legislation

Technology: Access, Distribution, Storage

Standards: Data Models, Metadata, Transfer

People Policy Data

Standards

Access Networks

(Rajabifard et al 2000)

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

and Land Administration

© Warnest 2003

Need for National SDI

• Environmental Assessment & Management• Land & Property Administration - including

Native Title• Navigation - road, marine & air• Resource Management - agriculture, mining,

energy, forestry & marine• Emergency Services - Fire, Ambulance

& Police• Business Planning• Census• Disaster Management• Defence, National Security

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© Warnest 2003

Australia – An Overview

• Small residential population 20 Million

• Australia in land area (7.7MKm2) is the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, United States of America and Brazil

• 60 000+ years of habitation by Indigenous Australians

• Federation of States since 1901, Colonial settlement in 1788

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

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© Warnest 2003

Australia – A Federation

• Federal Government (Commonwealth)– Defence, Post, Census, Foreign Affairs & Trade, Immigration

• 6 States and 2 Territory Governments– Education, Transport, Health, Natural Resources, Land

Administration, Policing, Emergency Services, Utilities, Main Roads

700 Local Governments– Local Planning, Community Services, Water and Sewerage,

Garbage, Local Roads

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

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© Warnest 2003

Funding Differences

Government Expenditure (1999-2000)

Federal

State

Local

• Federal Government 57%

• State Government 38%

• Local Government 5%

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

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© Warnest 2003

Federal and State Case Study• In-person Interviews:

4 States, Commonwealth and National Bodies ( 4-6 Agencies per jurisdiction)

• Jurisdictional Questionnaire:

Total Number of Responses 28

Number of Questionnaires Distributed

42

Total Interviewees 87

Response Rate 67 %

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

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© Warnest 2003

Federal and State Case Study• 82% of Respondents Represented State Agencies

• 36% GIS Managers, 21%Business Managers,

43% Managers and Senior Executives

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Questionnaire: Results• 85% of respondents indicated the most common basis for

organisational collaboration is data sharing

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Questionnaire: Results

• Trust between organisations is the most important characteristic of formal collaboration.

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Questionnaire: Results• Most commonly

used spatial data:

1. Topography

2. Road Networks

3. Geographic Names and Administration

4. Ortho-Imagery

5. Cadastral

6. Street Address

7. Elevation and Bathymetry

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Questionnaire: Results• Use and Provision of Spatial Information extends well beyond the

organisation’s jurisdiction.

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

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© Warnest 2003

Key Collaboration Factors

• Project or Process based

• Dependence on other participants

• Basis of Sharing – Data, Skills, Resources, Knowledge

• Mutual benefit

• Relationship management

• Coordination

• Funding

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

and Land Administration

© Warnest 2003

Conclusions

• Much formal and informal collaboration is occurring across sectors and jurisdictions.

• Improved coordination of spatial information and activities is required at the State level nationally.

• The results of this study demonstrate Australia is well advanced in the development of SDI at both State and Federal levels with much collaboration occurring across sectors and jurisdictions.

Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures

and Land Administration

© Warnest 2003

Acknowledgments

Supervisors: Prof Ian Williamson, Dr Abbas Rajabifard

Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, New South Wales Department of Lands, Australian Research Council and members of

the Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructure and Land Administration,

The University of Melbourne