Position 133 October-November 2024.pdf

FASTER IN THE FIELD

29 A satisfying career Dempsey May’s story shows

30 AI for positive change

The Ordnance Survey has outlined its core AI principles. 31 Reality redefined

New handheld LiDAR tech transcends standard limits.

Mapping

Remotely

28 Filling the skills gap Microcredential courses for GIS and drone specialists.

32 PNT’s CrowdStrike moment

The world needs to wake up to PNT’s vulnerabilities.

35 Machine learning for mapping

The latest in ML-based point cloud and image analysis. 36 Spatial symposium

Canvassing ideas for ushering in the Metaverse era.

Scientists use geospatial tech to boost crops

University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) researchers have received federal funding for a program that will use geospatial technologies to boost the productivity of rice and fruit cropping in Vietnam.

The program, a collaboration with the Vietnam National Space Centre, aims to develop technological solutions supporting sustainable agricultural practices in Vietnam.

The $487,718 over two years is being provided as part of a $1.45 million funding round from the Australian Government’s Aus4Innovation program, which is managed by the CSIRO.

The UniSQ researchers, Professor Armando Apan, Professor Tek Maraseni, Dr Thong Nguyen-Huy and Dr Bikram Banerjee, hope to improve crop monitoring and access to information for both smallholder farmers and government decision-makers in Vietnam.

“Effective crop monitoring is vital for informed decision-making among Vietnamese farmers and other relevant stakeholders, but a significant number of smallholder farmers do not have access to critical imagery indicating crop stress and yield,” said Professor Apan, who is leading the research.

“The primary objective of this initiative is to improve data accessibility and enhance the accuracy and detail of information available to small-scale farmers, which we’ll achieve through the creation of cloud-based internet mapping tools.

“With these resources at their disposal, Vietnamese farmers will be better equipped to make well-informed decisions aimed at boosting crop yield and increasing household income.”

According to Professor Apan, the primary goal is to create detailed maps for the crops at the individual farm level by using field data plus AI algorithms, along with drone- and spaceborne-sensing.

“Advancing technological solutions for local farmers in Vietnam by working with farmers, industry and research institutes will build enduring capacity and skills, to help reshape Vietnam’s agriculture practices,” said CSIRO Counsellor to Vietnam and Director of the Aus4Innovation Program Dr Kim Wimbush.

“Partnering universities with the innovation ecosystem in Vietnam means they can test products at scale and speed in a unique market in Vietnam and bring the successful implementation techniques back to the Australian agricultural sector.” n

Upcoming Events

8–10 October: 7th High-level Forum on UN Global Geospatial Information Management

10 October: Intelligent Digital Twins in Natural Resources

11 October: North Queensland Geospatial Conference

18 October: WAIS October Conference and AGM

21–24 October: ASPRS 2024 International Technical Symposium

22–25 October: ISPRS TC IV 2024 Symposium

23 October: FOSS4G Perth

24–25 October: UPINLBS 2024

25–28 October: 3rd International Workshop on Geographic Modelling and Simulation

5-8 November: FOSS4F SotM Oceania

8 November: Western Australian Geospatial Conference & Excellence Awards

15 November: AIMS Hunter Valley Seminar

21 November: ACT Geospatial Conference & Excellence Awards

25–29 November: Pacific Islands GIS & Remote Sensing Users Conference

1–8 December: FOSS4G Conference

3-4 December: National Local Roads, Transport & Infrastructure Congress

24 March 2025: Association of Public Authority Surveyors 2025 Conference

6–10 April 2025: Locate25

6–10 April 2025: FIG Working Week 2025

27–29 April 2025: World Geospatial Industry Council Horizons 2025

For more details about these and other events, go to www.spatialsource.com.au/ event-listing

UniSQ’s Professor Armando Apan (left) and Dr Luz Angelica Suarez Cadavid

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When being a bit remote is a good thing

Geospatial professionals have always been at the forefront of working in remote locations. After all, it was surveyors who traversed the planet to open up new frontiers and discover far-flung new realms. Remoteness is not a new concept, but the word ‘remote’ has taken on a new meaning in more recent years with the advent of remotely controlled uncrewed aerial vehicles and surface vessels. Across the air and the oceans, these UAVs and USVs have provided new opportunities for data gathering at a distance, without the need for their human operators to travel far from base or place themselves in danger. And the areas they can cover at low cost are simply vast.

In this issue, we look at both uncrewed domains. Renee Bartolo and her colleagues are using UAVs to monitor the Australian landscape and coastline — often in very remote areas — for the purpose of preserving and protecting the environment (see page 16). And at sea, Irish company XOCEAN is exploring and surveying the seafloor using remotely controlled USVs, whose operators can be located on the other side of the world… including here in Australia (page 24). It’s an amazing time we live in, when such technology can extend our reach beyond what we could only have dreamed of decades ago.

Also covered in this issue is the topic of education and the training of the next generation of the geospatial workforce. We all know that the sector is facing a severe shortage of skilled individuals, so it’s great to see that the drone and GIS microcredential courses at the University of Southern Queensland were such a success (page 28). Let’s hope the idea catches on. And what a success story Dempsey May is (page 29). Having blitzed pretty much all the awards and prizes available during his Curtin University course, he’s on his way to greater things in a demanding field that just can’t get enough of people with his kind of talents.

Jonathan Nally Editor

We take our Corporate and Social Responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities. As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers. This magazine has been printed on paper produced from sustainably sourced wood and pulp fibre and is accredited under PEFC chain of custody.

PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests.

December/January 2024–25 — Issue 134

Leaders Forum — see what Australia’s geospatial experts forecast for 2025

State of the art — trends in surveying, space and geospatial research

Reality capture — 3D scanning, processing, modelling, point clouds

Advertising booking date: 4 November 2024

Advertising material date: 7 November 2024

Publication date: 4 December 2024

Position magazine acknowledges the traditional custodians of country across Australia, and we pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to their elders, past, present and emerging.

Mine rehabilitation spatial data now available online

In what has been described as “a major step towards environmental transparency,” spatial data on mine rehabilitation and post-mining land use has been made publicly available for the first time on the NSW Government’s central resource for Sharing and Enabling Environmental Data (SEED).

The data comprises information submitted by operators of large mines

in NSW to the Resources Regulator as part of compliance activities, and shows ongoing rehabilitation activities and environmental progress.

According to SEED, “The mine rehabilitation dataset provides information on where mining operations in NSW have been conducted and are forecast to conduct ground disturbance and rehabilitation activities, as well as the final land use and landform following the completion of mining and rehabilitation activities”.

Australia and the United States have formally signed a bilateral statement recognising Australia’s involvement in the Landsat 2030 International Partnerships Initiative, which will be based on the upcoming Landsat Next satellite series.

“This information is created and submitted by each large mine operator to fulfil spatial data submission requirements required under Schedule 8A of the Mining Regulation 2016.”

Established in 2016, SEED serves as the central resource for essential environmental data in NSW.

Navy down to one survey ship

The Royal Australian Navy’s penultimate hydrographic survey ship, HMAS Melville, was decommissioned at its homeport in Cairns on Thursday, 8 August 2024.

This leaves the RAN with just one remaining hydrographic survey ship, HMAS Leeuwin, which itself is expected to be decommissioned in the not-too-distant future after a quarter of a century of service.

Previously, the RAN’s four Paluma-class hydrographic survey catamaran motor launches were decommissioned in pairs in September 2021 and June 2023.

As Position reported earlier this year, Australia has committed $207.4 million to the Initiative over four years, as well as ongoing funding, which will be used to enhance the satellite ground station in Alice Springs and provide new data processing and analytics capabilities.

“The Landsat Next partnership will ensure Australia has access to the next generation of Landsat satellite data, which will deliver the clearest images of our planet from space,” said the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Madeleine King.

The federal government is responsible for providing hydrographic services covering the Australian Charting Area. The Department of Defence has long been tasked with this activity.

According to a February 2020 statement released by Defence, “With the transition of the national surveying responsibility to industry partners, the Navy survey capability is being redeveloped to focus on military environmental information collection to support Australian and allied maritime operations. The next Navy military survey vessel will be built in Henderson, WA, in the 2020s.”

That last sentence refers to Project SEA1905, under which HMAS Melville and Leeuwin would have been replaced, probably by uncrewed autonomous systems. But that project was cancelled in April 2024 with the release of the Defence Integrated Investment Plan, leaving the RAN with no strategy for replacement vessels.

Currently, much of Australia’s national hydrographic survey work is undertaken by private companies under the federal government’s HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program, or HIPP.

Announced in February 2020, the HIPP sees private hydrographic survey companies using “the latest hydrographic techniques and state of the art equipment to deliver quality hydrographic data to Defence, who chart and disseminate this information,” according to Defence.

Industry sources say that the HIPP is working well and is fit for its job of hydrographic survey of shipping lanes, coastlines and other areas of interest.

Minister King also said that joining the Initiative constitutes “the biggest and best selfie we could take of our great country,” a claim which many people in geospatial sector might consider to be a bit disingenuous, given the federal government’s approach to the satellite Earth observation (EO) efforts.

Many in the sector might argue that the “the biggest and best selfie” would have come from the National Space Mission for Earth Observation (NSMEO), which the current federal government abruptly cancelled last year.

The NSMEO would have seen four Australianowned EO satellites placed into orbit.

When the then federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered the 2022–23 Budget, $38.5 million per annum was initially earmarked for the four satellites. The overall program was promised $1.16 billion out to 2039.

This means that Australia is still essentially entirely reliant on foreign-owned and -operated EO satellites, which poses a substantial sovereign risk and leaves the country vulnerable to vast economic loss should access to those satellites be denied or interrupted.

In a 2021 report, Deloitte found that “Australia’s EO sector, and the benefits EO data generates for other industries, is exposed to a significant sovereign supply risk: Australia does not own or operate any EO satellite systems. At the same time, the threat of a DOS [denial of service] event is becoming increasingly real, particularly in the context of Australia’s role in the Global Observing System (GOS).”

And earlier this year, a report entitled Continuity of Earth Observation Data for Australia: Risks further outlined the problems of sovereign risk. It identified 171 federal, state and territory government programs dependent upon satellite EO data usage. Yet “Almost all of Australia’s EO data supply is subject to decisions taken by foreign governments around open and free data supply…,” it said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, and US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, with the signed Landsat Next statement.

HMAS Melville.

Credit: LSIS Christopher Szumlanski, courtesy Defence.

Momentum grows on Spatial WA project

Work is progressing on Western Australia’s ambitious $140 million Spatial WA program, with the project team beginning to expand and following the appointment of a major delivery partner.

In its latest industry circular, Spatial WA’s Program Director, Darren Mottolini, says that the project team has already more than tripled in size.

This includes embedded specialists from consulting firm, KPMG, which has been appointed as the Delivery Partner.

KPMG will provide project management, business analysis and change management services, as well as specialist technical expertise.

“Our four use cases are also progressing, bringing together people from several Government agencies … [to] … demonstrate how an Advanced Spatial Digital Twin can deliver on strategic priorities,” says Mottolini.

In addition, a data management framework has been endorsed by Spatial WA Program Board following consultation

Queensland’s new surveying regulations

Queensland’s new Survey and Mapping Infrastructure Regulation 2024 and Surveyors Regulation 2024 have come into effect as of 1 September 2024.

According to the latest Queensland surveying news alert, the Survey and Mapping Infrastructure Regulation 2024 provides the same effect as the expiring Surveying and Mapping Infrastructure Regulation 2014, but minor restructuring has been done to account for modern legislative drafting practice and better align with requirements of the Survey and Mapping Infrastructure Act 2003. Two examples given, are:

• Details for preparing plans without carrying out a cadastral survey, previously located within section 16 of the 2014 Regulation, are now within section 18.

• Reinstating existing boundaries and notification of affected owners, previously located within sections 17 and 18 of the 2014 Regulation, are now within sections 19 and 20.

The Form 18 certificate for ‘cadastral plans-compiled’ will be updated to refer to the Survey and Mapping Infrastructure Regulation 2024 and will be available on the department website.

Cadastral Survey Requirements are currently under review and will be updated to refer to equivalent sections

New Chief Executive for Landgate

with 17 state government agencies.

“An important milestone, the framework will facilitate data-sharing across Government and within the Advanced Spatial Digital Twin (ASDT) and underpins the entire project,” says Mottolini.

The ASDT will be a spatially accurate 4D virtual representation of both the built and natural environments.

The vacancy for the position of Chief Executive of Landgate, Western Australia’s land information authority, has been filled from within the organisation following the announcement that Trish Scully, the current General Manager Location Services, will take up the role as of 2 September 2024.

According to the WA Government, the appointment came following an extensive search and a comprehensive recruitment process, which included selection panel representation from both the property sector and public sector.

Ms Scully comes to the role with nearly 30 years of experience in auditing, finance, strategy, project and general management under her belt.

of the new regulation. Until then, references to the old regulation within v8.01 of the survey standards are taken to be a reference to the equivalent requirement under the new regulation.

The Surveyors Regulation 2024 has substantially the same effect as the expiring Surveyors Regulation 2014, with the exception of two significant areas:

• For board membership, the position of surveyor ‘directly involved in teaching surveying’ is removed, with this position instead becoming another cadastral surveyor. The existing appointee in this position will remain until the end of their term.

• The minimum amount of professional indemnity insurance required to be held by a consulting surveyor has increased to two million dollars.

For existing registrations, the increased requirement does not apply until renewal for another term of registration. New applications must meet the increased requirement from 1 September 2024

She led the Landgate project team that helped deliver $1.4 billion in value from the partial commercialisation of the agency’s automated land titling functions, and was responsible for securing a $140 million, 10-year commitment from the WA Government for Spatial WA, a project to deliver an Advanced Spatial Digital Twin for the State.

As General Manager Location Services, Scully has been responsible for:

• Data sharing and collaboration

• Aerial and satellite imagery; topography; names and addressing

• Geodetic and cadastral data and systems

• Geospatial and graphic services

In her new role as Chief Executive, she becomes responsible for:

• Executive management

• Ministerial and parliamentary liaison

• Strategic communications

• Audit, compliance, and governance

• Legislation and policy

Scully takes over from Acting Chief Executive, Bruce Roberts, who in turn took over from former Chief Executive, Graeme Gammie, who had served in the role for five years before announcing his decision to step down in early 2024.

“On behalf of the Cook Government, I congratulate Trish Scully on her appointment as chief executive at Landgate and look forward to working collaboratively together,” said Lands Minister, John Carey.

“I also want to take the opportunity to acknowledge Bruce Roberts, registrar of titles at Landgate for his efforts as interim chief executive.”

A section of the Local Drone Rules map, showing restriction rules near a prison in Queensland. Courtesy Department of Infrastructure.

Trish Scully

AUSPOS 3.0 goes live

Geoscience Australia has announced the release of version 3.0 of AUSPOS, the agency’s free online GPS processing service. With the release of this new version, computation of coordinates is now being accomplished with respect to the latest International Terrestrial Reference Frame, ITRF2020, superseding the use of ITRF2014.

According to Geoscience Australia (GA), AUSPOS 3.0 has the following features:

• Computation of consistent GDA2020 coordinates.

• Use of the most up-to-date and reliable International GNSS Service (IGS) products aligned to ITRF2020.

• Improved quality of solutions due to the implementation of Bernese v5.2 programs, more available reference sites for network calculations, updated antenna calibration values for ground receiver antenna types, and a more precise/advanced ocean tide loading model.

GA says that “the GDA2020 coordinates from AUSPOS v3.0 are mainly consistent with the coordinates from AUSPOS v2.4. We have confirmed that for most solutions users should expect only small differences in the GDA2020 coordinates (millimetre level for horizontal coordinates and less than 1 cm level for height), with almost all differences within the positional uncertainty levels (and therefore statistically insignificant).”

AUSPOS is designed to work anywhere on Earth thanks to the IGS Stations Network’s global coverage.

According to GA, the IGS realisation of ITRF2020 (IGS20) uses the latest improvements in modelling and processing strategies, providing an additional indirect benefit to users of the upgraded AUSPOS v3.0.

GA plans to release a detailed report in the coming months covering the upgrade and the results of extensive testing campaign.

Fathom to supply flood data

Flood risk intelligence firm Fathom has been selected by Geoscience Australia (GA) to provide comprehensive data and analytics to support flood management. Following a tender evaluation, Fathom was named a preferred supplier to the Australian Government, with other agencies able to access the company’s flood risk intelligence via the agreement with GA.

Public sector agencies can access nationwide data from Fathom’s Global Flood Map, which offers a defended and undefended view of event extents across rainfall, river and coastal flooding.

“With large-scale flood events growing in both intensity and frequency, nationwide flood risk intelligence has never been more important,” said Dr Andrew Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Fathom.

“With over a decade of modelling expertise and a research portfolio

accumulated since 1992, we’re committed to providing Geoscience Australia with the intelligence needed to help the government plan and respond to devastating natural catastrophes.”

The Global Flood Map licensed by the Australian Government will provide a consistent view of flood risk for the entire globe, for the present day and in the future under a range of climate change scenarios, all while maintaining the same methodology.

Four-year LiDAR project completed

A four-year project to deliver 3D, highresolution LiDAR mapping of New Zealand’s Murihiku Southland region, has been completed.

Environment Southland General Manager Strategy, Policy and Science, Rachael Millar, said that digital elevation and digital surface models are now available and are already providing significant benefits to a wide range of users.

The region’s previous elevation maps had contours down to only 8 metres resolution, whereas the new data is available at 1 metre resolution for rural areas and down to 20 cm for some urban areas.

The project, which was partly cofunded by four Southland region councils, has involved thousands of hours of data collection, processing and checking.

“The region hasn’t had a tool before that provides such detail and it is going to be particularly useful in planning for

Southland’s future,” said Millar. “The [Southland Regional] Council will use it for flood modelling, coastal inundation mapping and to help with farm planning, to name a few.”

The data is also already being used for:

• Hazard planning

• Infrastructure planning and policy development

• Understanding landscape changes

• Understanding catchments’ hydrological processes such as stream flow estimation and catchment size.

Murihiku Southland is one of 10 regions that partnered with Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to obtain the baseline elevation data set.

Co-funding between Southland’s four councils and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Kānoa Provincial Growth Fund supported the regional expansion of LINZ’s 3D mapping program to provide a significant increase in national coverage.

Data covering about 70% of the country is available at the LINZ Data Service, with another 10% to be added over the next few months, which will complete the project.

A sample of the LiDAR data now available for New Zealand’s Southland region.

Geospatial Excellence Awards

The regional awards are underway, with only a little over six months until the annual presentation ceremony

It’s the season for the annual Geospatial Excellence Awards, with a little over half of the territory and state-based awards having been presented at the time this issue went to press. Below, you’ll find lists of the award recipients for Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Still to come at press time were the Western Australia and ACT awards — keep an eye on www.SpatialSource.com.au for announcements.

All regional recipients are eligible for the prestigious Oceanic awards, the presentation ceremony for which will be held during the Locate Conference in Brisbane in April 2025.

Victorian awards:

• Educational Development Award: Qian (Chayn) Sun

• Excellence in Geographic Place Naming Award: Bass Coast Shire Council and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation for the naming process of Berninneit Community Centre; and Mildura Rural City Council and Mildura Historical Society for the process of naming several roads after pioneering women.

• Sustained Excellence in Cadastral Surveying Award: Neville Brayley

• Vicmap Custodian Award: Alpine Resorts Victoria

• Innovation Award (Medium to Large Businesses): FrontierSI, UNSW, MapAI, ID Consulting, Geelong Council and Tamworth Council for establishing MapAI.

• Innovation Award (Small Business): Anditi and Main Roads Western Australia for the Main Roads Network LiDAR Project.

South Australian awards:

• councils, for the Urban Heat and Tree Canopy Mapping Project.

• Technical Excellence Award: UNSW City Futures Research Centre and FrontierSI for MapAI.

• Workforce Development and Inclusion Award: FrontierSI for its Launching Leaders Inclusive Internship Program.

• Postgraduate Student Award: Chang Liu

• Professional of the Year Award: D’Arcy Roche

• Educational Development Award: Craig Roberts, UNSW

• for their Native Vegetation Regulation Map.

• Community Impact Award: DTP and Esri for their School Crossing Risk Assessment Framework.

• Innovation Award (Medium to Large Businesses): FrontierSI, RMIT University, Victoria’s DTP and SmartSat CRC for Dynamic Vicmap.

• Innovation Award (Small Business): Esper Satellite Imagery for ‘Over The Rainbow,’ Australia’s first commercial EO Sat.

• International Partnership Award: Spatial Vision for the Pacific Islands Geospatial Skills Development Program.

• Technical Excellence Award: DEECA, 1Spatial, Spatial Partners Pty Ltd, Jirotech, CSIRO, Spatial Vision, GeoCat bv, Datacom, and AWS for DEECA’s Enterprise Spatial Data Platform Transformation.

• Workforce Development and Inclusion Award: Australian Spatial Analytics for Acciona: Employment transition program for geospatial and digital engineering.

• Postgraduate Student Award: Foad Brakhasi

• Undergraduate Student Award: Rebecca Thomas

• Future Leader of the Year Award: Ben Vordermaier

• Professional of the Year Award: Bruce Baker

• Community Impact Award: The City of Adelaide for City Plan 2036

• Innovation Award (Medium to Large Businesses): Department of Treasury & Finance, Office for Data Analytics, SA SES, SA CFS, SA MFS, SAPOL, SAAS, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, SAFECOM, SA DEW, SA Department of Infrastructure and Transport, SA Attorney Generals Department, SA Department for Education and SA DHW, for The Situational Awareness for Emergencies Data Platform.

• Technical Excellence Award: SA Office of the Surveyor-General, SA HUB – Planning & Land Use Services, for PlanSA.

• Workforce Development and Inclusion Award: Surveyors Board of South Australia for SurveyingSA.

• Diversity and Inclusion Award: Felicity Dennis

• Undergraduate Student Award: Natarsha McPherson

• Future Leader of the Year Award: Claire Fisk

• Professional of the Year Award: Joe D’Aloia

• Educational Development Award: Scott Allen

New South Wales awards:

• Environment & Sustainability Award: Arup for its Digital Environmental Impact Statement for the Sydney Terminal Building Revitalisation Project (STBRP).

• Community Impact Award: Jacobs, for the Arts Queensland Cultural Centre.

• Innovation Award (Medium to Large Businesses): Australian Spatial Analytics, for its Talent Services (Employment Transition Program).

• Innovation Award (Small Business): Locatrix, NSW Police, QFES and Queensland Police Service, for the Emergency Services Platform.

• Technical Excellence Award: Cancer Council Queensland and QUT, for the Australian Cancer Atlas 2.0.

• Workforce Development and Inclusion Award: Australian Spatial Analytics and the Queensland Department of Resources, for the Employment Transition Program for geospatial data analysts.

• Postgraduate Student Award: Sijan Bhandari

• Diversity and Inclusion Award: Geoffrey Smith (Australian Spatial Analytics)

• Future Leader of the Year Award: Ben Gan n

The Wilderness Society, for Watch on Nature.

NZ Basemaps now available in 3D

Geospatial professionals and the general public are now able to view large swathes of New Zealand in 3D following upgrades to Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand’s (LINZ) country-wide Basemaps, which use the latest publicly available data.

According to LINZ Head of Location Information, Aaron Jordan, the 3D Basemaps provide a new way of understanding landscapes across New Zealand through easy-to-view and detailed contours, hill shades and slopes.

“The new feature means everyone can view New Zealand in 3D, helping provide a more in-depth perspective of how our lands are shaped from the mountains to the sea,” he said.

“We’re one of the few countries in the world where this type of service and the underlying data is available at no cost to users.”

Jordan says that having easily accessible, high-quality mapping information helps everyone from homebuilders to farmers and city planners, make informed decisions regarding land use.

“It also helps connect people with parts

of the country that are difficult to access…” Jordan said.

According to LINZ, the underlying elevation and imagery data available from the LINZ Data Service is of benefit to a range of users, including councils and regional industries for planning purposes and will help with land and resource management, flood and landslide hazard mapping and emergency response.

The 3D function was formed through overlaying high-resolution images over elevation data. “People are now able to zoom right down to 1 metre resolution in most areas,” said Jordan.

Geospatial data to keep workers safe

Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) has announced the formal integration of the Look Up and Live tool alongside its underground plan service, resulting in what it says is a “one-stop resource” for anyone working near above-ground and underground utility infrastructure.

The Look Up and Live app provides users with real-time access to powerline locations and imagery, free of charge, via an interactive geospatial map. It allows for real-time location searches, map overlays with third-party mapping programs, and the option to print maps as needed.

Originally developed by Ergon Energy Network and Energex in 2017 to promote safe work practices near Queensland’s electricity network, Look Up and Live has since expanded to include overhead

networks in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.

Over the past 20 years, more than 135 people have lost their lives due to contact with overhead powerlines, with many more suffering life-altering injuries, including permanent disabilities.

Sixteen powerline owners in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria contribute data across a total of two million square kilometres, pinpointing 5.2 million poles and towers, and 791,387 km of powerlines.

There are 220,000 uses of lookupandlive.com each year and more than 80,000 downloads of the app.

“By integrating Look Up and Live with Before You Dig, we are simplifying the process of accessing utility plans and essential safety information, empowering workers to operate safely around utility infrastructure,” said Mell Greenall, CEO of BYDA.

“This integration will enable us to enhance the Look Up and Live app by expanding its reach to include all utility network operators with above-ground infrastructure.

“This means that gas, water, and telecommunications aboveground assets will be viewable alongside the existing power infrastructure, providing a more comprehensive safety resource.”

AHSCP members appointed

The Geospatial Council of Australia (GCA) recently appointed three successful nominees to seats on the internationally recognised Australasian Hydrographic Surveyors Certification Panel (AHSCP).

Effective from September 2024 for a period of two years, Rhys Davies (Survey + Spatial New Zealand) will be the new Nautical Charting Hydrography representative, Neville Benson (GCA) the new Education representative and Katherine Butcher (GCA) has been re-elected to the seat of Industrial Offshore Surveying. They will join the existing Panel members Barry Smith (Hydrography for Coastal Zone Management), Neil Hewitt (Private Practice) and Chair Commodore Robyn Phillips (Hydrographer of Australia).

“The importance of the AHSCP only continues to grow,” said Tony Wheeler, CEO of the GCA. “It is a vital element for the professionalisation of the hydrographic workforce.”

Key to the ongoing success of the AHSCP is the dynamic membership of the Panel, and the five members represent all segments of the hydrographic survey industry.

The AHSCP is comprised of six members — Chair and ex-officio member, the Hydrographer of Australia, currently CDRE Robyn Phillips — and five elected members who serve a two-year term. In order to maintain continuity, AHSCP elections run annually and alternate between two members elected one year and three the following. Nominations will be held in 2025 for the positions of Private Practice and Hydrography for Coastal Zone Management.

“GCA wishes to thank CAPT Dean Battilana RAN, Katherine Butcher and Ian Phillips, the AHSCP Panellists in the positions that have just completed a term of service — or in Dean’s case, two terms,” said Wheeler.

The GCA and Survey and Spatial New Zealand Professional Certification in Hydrographic Surveying is formal recognition that the AHSCP has rigorously assessed a person’s hydrographic surveying competence, based on their experience and education.

The FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers (IBSC) has recognised the AHSCP Scheme since 2012, and it is widely recognised globally as the leading scheme for assessing a hydrographic surveyor’s competency.

NSW completes Airborne Gravity Model

NSW DCS Spatial Services has announced the completion of Australia’s first statewide Airborne Gravity Model, which it says, will be a “game changer” that provides detailed insights into Earth’s architecture while delivering significant time and cost savings for NSW.

The Model covers more than 800,000 square kilometres of NSW and the ACT, including 50 kilometres off the NSW coastline.

“The Gravity Model Project positions NSW as a leader in airborne gravity data coverage in Australia and will not only benefit various industries but also unlock investment opportunities, create jobs, and potentially drive economic growth throughout the State particularly in construction and mining,” said Thomas Grinter, NSW Deputy Surveyor General.

When combined with other existing datasets, the Model will improve the ability to:

• Prepare for natural disasters

• Identify critical mineral deposits

• Locate groundwater resources

• Develop infrastructure, including new housing

According to the NSW Government, “The future global economy and the pathway to lower emissions will be founded

on minerals that NSW is rich in, such as cobalt, rare earth elements and copper”.

“As demand for these minerals continues to rise, the need for responsible sourcing and development becomes more urgent.

Supported by Gravity Model data, NSW, with its abundance of these minerals, has a unique opportunity to meet this demand and play a significant role in the transition to a low-emissions economy.”

Importantly for the geospatial sector, the Model supports accurate height and spatial determination, which will be of great benefit to the construction and surveying

Elders, SmartSat CRC sign agriculture EO MOU

The SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Australian agriculture conglomerate, Elders, to further the application of satellite-enabled Earth observation (EO) in agriculture.

The collaboration has several foci, one of which is to use satellite EO to monitor and report on emissions from Elders’ Killara feedlot, with the aim of improving environmental management.

The parties will also work to apply EO for to improve the management of weeds, pests and diseases in Australian grain cropping systems.

Another aim is to develop ways to increase both the quality and quantity of yields in the Australian viticulture sector.

“This partnership with Elders underscores the importance of earth observation technology in addressing some of the most pressing challenges in agriculture,” said Professor Andy Koronios, CEO of SmartSat CRC.

industries — productivity benefits are estimated to exceed $59 million over the next decade.

The Model has been produced with the support and expertise of the Geological Survey of NSW (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) and Geoscience Australia.

DCS Spatial Service says it will continue to process and refine the Model’s data, with value added products set for release through MinView within the next few months. Once complete it will be freely available from the Geological Survey of NSW.

“By combining space-based data with on-the-ground expertise, we can enhance environmental monitoring and sustainable agricultural and farming practices across Australia.”

Elders has been in business in the agricultural sector for 185 years, and currently works across a range of products and services, such as farm supplies, agronomy, livestock, wool, grain, finance, insurance and real estate.

“Being at the forefront of agricultural innovation allows Elders to continue providing future focused solutions for our clients, ensuring their businesses remain resilient and profitable in our fast-changing world,” added Mark Allison, Managing Director and CEO of Elders.

“To this end, we are delighted to be collaborating with SmartSat CRC to explore satellite-enabled earth observation technologies, for the benefit of Australian farmers and the wider sector.”

Faster in the field

The latest generation of Emlid GNSS receivers are transforming the workflows of busy surveyors.

Road & Civil Surveys and Geotwin are sibling NSW-based companies, with the former focusing mainly on construction projects and the latter concentrating more on modelling and data capture. One thing that both businesses have in common is their use of Emlid Reach GNSS receivers to boost the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of their daily work.

“The Emlid Reach RS3 was introduced to us through a few other surveyors as a very costeffective solution,” says Garry Elali, Operations Manager with Geotwin. “So, we got in touch with Map Gear and started trying them.”

According to Elali, the businesses quickly recognised another benefit over and above the cost-effectiveness. “What we noticed was an easier, streamlined connection between the RS3 and 12d Field; we didn’t need any third-party applications on our tablets to connect them. That was a big thing for us.”

Elali says that many other manufacturers require you to install their own software or a

third-party software package in order to use their instruments.

The data from the Emlid RS3, however, transmits through a simple Bluetooth connection directly to 12d Field, one of the world’s most widely used surveying software modules.

“The advantage of 12d Field and GNSS receivers like the Emlid RS3, is that it enables a live connection to a real-world position; a live position within the digital data of the whole project or model,” says Graham Wirth, 12d Solutions’ Sales and Marketing Manager. “The surveyor can take a tablet out into the field and have the entire project on it, which includes the bridges, the drainage, the roads, the alignment, the line marking, right down to the natural surface.”

“For instance, you could be walking along the road and the foreman says, ‘Oh, while you’re here, can you set out the drainage for the pipes coming tomorrow?’ So you just bring up the model of the drainage in 12d and go and set it out,” adds Wirth. “And yes, the Emlid connects with 12d Field seamlessly, and we’ve even got the slope correction for the pole tilt running in it.”

“We’re finding that it’s the streamlined connection that the guys are loving; there are no dramas,” adds Matt Carroll, State Survey Manager–NSW with Road & Civil Surveys.

Users are not restricted to using the RS3 with 12d Field, though. Emlid Flow is a free app for use on phones and tablets. There is also Flow360 — a webbased application for managing survey projects in a browser. This lets the user do simple work where the comprehensive breadth of 12d Field is not needed.

Fast and efficient

In terms of the efficiency gains, Elali cites a current project that

involves three different sites in the Newcastle area, at each of which the Emlid RS3s have been deployed for setting out of rough piles for bulk earthworks.

“Anything that needs ±30 mm accuracy, we’re using the Emlid instead of total stations,” he says. “Our surveyors are doing it faster and then moving on to other jobs so that the client doesn’t need to wait for set out.”

This efficiency adds up to a substantial time saving. For the RS3-suitable jobs, no longer do the surveyors have to spend 20 to 25 minutes just to get a total station out, set it up and do the checks. “On bulk earthwork jobs that time accumulates, because you might have six similar jobs to do throughout the day,” says Carroll. “So, by

A surveyor on site using an Emlid Reach RS3 along with 12d Field.

avoiding having to do that, you’re talking about potentially three hours saved.”

Elali concurs. “Some of these infrastructure jobs are about 11 to 12 kilometres long, so by the time you pack up all your gear, drive to the next section of the job, re-set up your total station, there’s another half an hour gone. But if you’re doing it with the Emlid, it’s obviously a lot quicker.”

And the time saving is not restricted to ground-based operations. For drone surveys with the Geotwin side of the business, “We’re using the Emlid to survey the ground control points; using the Emlid app or 12d Field makes it really fast instead of having to go through third-party software,” says Elali.

Cost-effective

Elali says the RS3 can do about 90% of what other GNSS receivers do in the sense of getting pretty much the same accuracy. But perhaps its major selling point is its affordability — around a quarter the price of a traditional GNSS receiver from other suppliers.

“The cost was the big thing for us to move across to the RS3,” he says. “When you’ve got a growing business and you have a lot of people on board, anything you can do to minimise your bottom dollar is important.”

The absence of proprietary restrictions is another factor, Elali says. “If we buy one of the well-known expensive GPS units, they are only great

“We’re finding that it’s the streamlined connection that the guys are loving; there are no dramas.”

Matt Carroll, Road & Civil Surveys

expensive machine when we can use the RS3 to pick up marks and survey them, without having to spend $16,000 to $17,000 on a different GNSS unit,” Elali says.

In a sure sign of their value for money, Elali adds that “It’s been about a year since we bought our first one; we’re up to nine of them now and we just purchased another three today”.

Dependability

Reliability is a further advantage of the RS3, says Elali. “You can do a job, turn the RS3 off, turn the tablet off, put it in the car and drive to the next job. But 50% of the time if you were using any of the other manufacturers’ instruments, you’re going to have some sort of connection issue the next time you try and turn everything on again. For example, your tablet might decide to crash because it’s running too many programs at once.”

if you’re using them with a dedicated proprietary tablet or controller. So as soon as you want to go put a GPS unit on a backpack, on the car or on a boat, you can’t really do that with those units.”

“Having the RS3s means we can use them day-to-day in the field,” adds Carroll. “The surveyors can connect them to 12d Field, and we can also take them out and connect them to all the applications that we need for the Geotwin side of business as well. They’re far more interchangeable than other units on the market.”

The businesses are also using them with their drone operations. “When we do drone flights, we don’t really need to purchase a big,

“That’s something that’s eliminated with the Emlid, because you’re not running third-party software in the background of your tablet the entire time,” he adds.

Dependability also comes in the form of Map Gear’s sales and service. “Map Gear’s service is great,” says Elali. “They’ve got a guy in Queensland who’s solved every problem I’ve had, which is amazing. I can say nothing but good things about them.”

Summing up the RS3’s advantages, Elali says that “If we really look at the main aspects, it’s 1) cost effectiveness, 2) no third-party software required, and 3) the streamlined connection”.

“We’re going to be buying more, so it’s definitely become part of the furniture.” n

Renee Bartolo

R“Being in the field opens creative thinking for myself and our team when we are out and about.”

Q&A with Renee Bartolo

BY JONATHAN NALLY

Protecting and preserving an ancient landscape using cutting-edge drone technology.

enee Bartolo is the Director and Chief Remote Pilot for the Office of the Chief Remote Pilot, in the federal government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. A life-long environmental enthusiast, she has parlayed her passion for nature into a career in remote sensing, specialising in drone operations.

Where did your passion for the environment come from?

Ever since I can remember, I have loved the environment and knew from a very young age I was going to work in a role that contributed to understanding and protecting it. I grew up adjacent

How did you get into the drone field?

I have worked in northern Australia for over 25 years looking at ways of using remote sensing to understand landscape dynamics, including ecosystem restoration. My background is in Earth observation (remote sensing) and landscape ecology. My PhD was on the use of multi-frequency, multi-polarised synthetic aperture radar for estimating Melaleuca biomass in tropical wetlands.

Given the nature of using more traditional forms of remote sensing (satellite and crewed aircraft) and the increasing resolution required to understand ecosystem processes, we kept a watch on drones from around 2010. Drones are not as affected by cloud cover and fire, which are prevalent for most of the year in the tropics.

In 2013 we saw that the use of drones was viable and in 2014 we commenced drone operations, and I became the Environment Department’s Chief Remote Pilot. Everything has grown from there.

What does your role involve?

I lead a team that delivers a number if functions: ensuring safe and compliant use of drones; building capability of drone operators and facilitating demonstration projects to deliver operational solutions; facilitating cross-cutting science and innovation and taking research to application; and coordination of resources, including people, the drone fleet and projects to avoid duplication of effort and resources.

The Department uses drones to provide: Innovative and expert advice grounded in evidence and science.

Regulatory compliance and surveillance activities. Land management, visitor safety and infrastructure inspection in Commonwealth Parks.

Engage and partner with First Nations ranger groups.

Staff safety and wellbeing in operational settings.

What sort of projects does your team tackle?

We engage in complex projects or capability uplift that is cross-cutting and can result in transformational

change or insights. Our focus is #dronesforgood. Some examples are:

• The Ghost Nets Initiative. This is an Indigenous-led design of the use of drones and AI by Indigenous ranger groups in northern Australia to monitor ghost nets and marine debris.

• Population surveys of threatened animal species using drone-based thermal sensors.

• Detection of saltwater crocodiles through the development of an integrated sensor network and real-time alerts.

• The use of drones and AI in detecting, monitoring and the control of buffel grass.

Does your work cover all of Australia?

The drone operations for our Department span from Antarctica to Christmas Island National Park and everywhere in between, across a diverse range of applications.

We also work with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and some of our portfolio agencies (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Bureau of Meteorology). We provide the support and organisational and operational framework for other agencies to use drones for environmental work.

What are some of the challenges you encounter?

We come across challenges daily, whether it be from the drone operations themselves, ITC requirements and the volumes of data we are dealing with and what we are wanting to do with that data, and organisational risk management. We overcome these challenges by having a team with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and by being people centric. Being people-centric means we have instilled a just culture for the drone operators and are there to support our people in their use of technology.

Does the Department do all of its own drone work, or does it also outsource?

We are focused on building capability within work areas, but the Department also outsources drone operations or research through grant programs or specific projects.

What sort of technologies do you use?

We have a range of technology and capability that we test and use across the drone operations. We have a variety of sensors including high-resolution cameras, multispectral sensors, thermal, LiDAR and radar doppler. Similarly, there is a range of multi-rotor and VTOL platforms with different endurances. We also have weed spraying and delivery drones, as well as new payloads being developed and applications such as eDNA collection from rivers. For our integrated sensor network development, we are using a combination

of sonar and IoT IR and high-resolution video sensors. In relation to the data side of the drone operations, we have used edge devices in situ and also streamed into our cloud. In terms of operational capability, we can conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations and Extended Visual Line of Sight and Night operations.

Are there any new developments that will make your work easier?

We tend to focus on the leading edge and pushing into new technology and operational use. Some of the use cases we are currently working on are:

The use of autonomous drones (Dronein-a-Box) and Remote Operations Command, which will enable us to use drones in some of the more remote locations without having to be physically present. This will change how some of our environmental monitoring and compliance work is undertaken, providing increased capability in obtaining hyper-temporal data.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight aerial incendiary operations for prescribed burning.

The recent Aviation White Paper provides potential pathways for safer operations around crewed aircraft.

What are some things about your work that people probably don’t know?

We are trying to solve complex issues in the application of AI to large drone datasets of ecosystems, which poses a range of challenges in scaling and ensuring AI models can operate across a range of conditions… especially if there are multiple types of objects being detected.

Having a geospatial background has been particularly useful in assessing and preparing safety cases for Beyond Visual Line of Sight applications using the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) framework.

We also have a focus on inclusion in the drone industry, given the diversity across our drone pilot cohort, and how a traditional aviation framework can be made accessible to everyone wanting to use drones.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The people we get to work with and building their capability in the use of drones and AI is the most enjoyable part of the job. We use cool technology to address complex questions or problems, but we see our role as being about people. People come to us with ‘Can we…?’ ideas and we work together to innovate, test their ideas and then build the capability. Inclusion is at the centre of everything we do.

The other aspect of the job I enjoy is the ability to work on complex and cross-cutting issues and use cases. We seek to focus on use cases that can affect transformational change, whether it be for informing policy, providing scientific evidence to make decisions, undertaking functions in a more time- and costeffective manner, or keeping people safer in the jobs that they undertake.

Renee Bartolo will be presenting at the ISPRS TC-IV Symposium in Fremantle in late-October. Turn to page 36 for details. n

All-in-one surveying with the Leica Nova MS60

Leica Geosystem’s groundbreaking Multistation combines a robotic total station with 3D laser scanning capabilities.

As any surveyor will tell you, time is money on all construction projects. Time setting up, time gathering data — often having to use separate instruments — time dealing with interruptions, time processing the information gathered. So imagine being able to perform all your tasks quickly, efficiently, automatically and with high accuracy, using a single device. The Leica Geosystems Nova MS60 MultiStation is the answer… a groundbreaking instrument that enables surveyors to do all that and more.

Leica describes the Nova MS60 as “the world’s first self-learning MultiStation,” and it’s easy to see why. It is a scanning total station that enables complete data collection of individual points and large areas by leveraging sensor fusion and automation, self-learns on the job, and seamlessly integrates with Leica field and office surveying software… enabling the user to quickly complete their work on-site and move on to the next project.

The MS60 scans at up to 30,000 points per second, completing work quickly and producing dense scanning grids. It features

optimised scanning paths, including zenith scans, enabling the user to significantly reduce the total scanning time, and has 1" angular accuracy, a 2,000-metre range for distance measurements to any surface and a 10,000-metre range to a prism.

The in-built digital imaging technology includes an overview and a 30x magnifying telescope camera, resulting in accurate, image-assisted surveying.

By combining these functions of a highend robotic total station for single point surveys and 3D laser scanning capabilities, the MS60 — available in Australia through C.R. Kennedy — means surveyors are always equipped for anything on site and across their workflow.

In-built excellence

The MS60’s capabilities don’t stop there. Built in is a range of features such as ATRplus, Dynamic Lock and AutoHeight, which work together to enhance the instrument’s versatility and adaptability. ATRplus is the self-learning element. This feature absorbs information about the surrounding environment and adjusts the

“I’m able to drastically reduce the time between the field work and the deliverable requested from the client.”

Morris Massetti, GC Surveyors

MS60’s settings to achieve the best possible measurement performance. For example, it learns the weather conditions to evaluate visibility and can determine foreign reflections, ensuring the instrument stays on its target.

Dynamic Lock searches for, aims at and tracks the prism, including rapid relock on a lost prism, bringing clear benefits on busy construction sites or in dense traffic areas where frequent line-of-sight interruptions occur.

The AutoHeight feature measures instrument height quickly and precisely with a single button press, eliminating common errors of reading and entering the station height.

These three features alone offer vastly improved consistency and accuracy and reduced setup times, enabling more points to be measured or laid out over the day.

The MS60’s improvements in scanning capabilities include increased scan speeds, new modes for more-efficient point cloud generation, and on-site point cloud analysis with Leica Captivate field software apps. The new scan modes, based on a spiral scan pattern, see the MS60 scan while rotating 360 degrees per second. In zenith, the instrument generates a regular point spacing, optimises the point cloud with fewer overlapping points, enables a faster scan performance and more consistent data — of benefit when measuring a ceiling or working inside a tunnel.

The MS60 also offers the option to start and stop a scan on demand and repeat previous scans without redefinitions, along with the ability to transfer prior scan definitions to different jobs or even different instruments.

The MS60 is fully compatible with Leica Captivate surveying field software, Leica Infinity Surveying Software and the Leica AP20 AutoPole — all available through C.R. Kennedy — and excels at a range of traditional and non-traditional surveying and scanning applications, such as:

• Surfaces and volumes in construction and mining, soil heaps and stockpiles, DTM creation and checking surfaces, material thickness, blast faces and ground levels.

• Analysis of complex structures and objects within plant, marine and utility projects, dimensional control, as-built and record keeping.

• Measuring buildings and structures, bridge condition/clearance analysis, BIM and as-built.

• For facade, elevations and heritage work, the creation of traditional deliverables such as 2D maps or 3D models

• Deformation monitoring of structures and ground: automated or periodic measurements of buildings, transportation infrastructure, natural hazards, dams and other objects And if that wasn’t enough, the MS60 supports theft deterrence and fleet management with Leica LOC8, a tool that uses GPS or Wi-Fi tracking to let owners understand where their assets are located. With LOC8, owners can define geofenced areas and receive alerts if their instrument is moved beyond the boundaries. In the case of theft, LOC8 enables remote locking and recovery assistance through tracking links that can be shared with police.

Putting it to work

One local company that is already reaping the benefits of using the MS60 is GC Surveyors, whose Civil Survey Manager, Morris Massetti, sings the instrument’s praises. Having first become acquainted with the MS60 at the Hexagon Expo in Las Vegas, Massetti began using the instrument in his work at GC Surveyors, and, in particular, he has been using its Inspect Surfaces App to boost his workflow productivity.

“With the Leica Inspect Surfaces, I’m able to drastically reduce the time between the field work and the deliverable requested from the client, providing a report which is not only quick but also full of details like heat map section and dynamic data table, where you can actually inspect and check every single point collected,” he says.

The power of the MS60 means that Massetti is able to spend more time in the field collecting data and viewing it on a tablet, and less time back in the office having to process that data.

“If you plan a specific scan area, you can directly import and process it into the tablet without going physically into the office. Literally you can generate a report within 10 minutes from the completion of the scan,” he says.

“The app is simple to use and everything is built into it,” he adds. “You only need to set up a few steps to get any report generated.”

Another advantage of the MS60 is the service and support provided by C.R. Kennedy, Leica Geosystems’ distributor in Australia. The MS60 and its range of associated accessories (e.g. prisms, tripods, software) are fully supported by experienced C.R. Kennedy sales and technical staff who know surveying inside and out. Whether it’s assistance with choosing the right combination of equipment, or answering technical questions in the field, help is just a phone call away.

“Morris and GC Surveyors are really pushing the boundaries of the Captivate software to take advantage of the MS60’s Inspect Surfaces capabilities and demonstrate what it’s capable of,” says Nathan Thompson, NSW Geodesy Sales Manager at C.R. Kennedy. “Being able to get a real-time view of the data captured is a huge time-saver.”

Massetti says that he uses the MS60 to target jobs that require a quick turnaround between the field work and the report. “The M60 is able to eliminate the office work and at the same time provide an incredible amount of detail compared to the design info,” he says.

Summing up, Massetti says that “the MS60 allows you to step above traditional but critical survey tasks by accelerating your workflow, drastically improving the accuracy and the amount of data collected, reducing the time from the start to the end of the task”.

For more information on the MS60, contact your local C.R. Kennedy office or visit https://survey.crkennedy.com.au. n

The MS60’s Inspect Surfaces app provides fast and accurate scans of structures such as tunnels, roads, chimneys, stockpiles, buildings and more.

Mapping vegetation for managing the land

The NSW Native Vegetation Regulatory Map has proven pivotal for identifying land use over 800,000 square kilometres.

Since 1788, the colony of New South Wales, covering what is now NSW and Queensland, began clearing vegetation for agriculture, development and forestry. One of the first regulations, in 1881, addressed the practice of ringbarking, and there have been nearly 30 laws enacted since then to manage aspects of vegetation clearing.

In recent years, technological advances and innovation have enabled the use of accurate maps to inform property-scale native vegetation clearing decisions across the 800,000 square kilometres that make up NSW. To be effective from a regulatory point of view, these maps need to show land types containing vegetation and classify them as regulated, vulnerable, sensitive, or exempt from regulation, while also considering past land use.

Surveying the land and building all of that information into one mapping product relies on a diverse range of technologies and expertise. Using existing mapping products and advanced innovation in remote sensing, the Remote Sensing and Analysis team at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (hereafter, the Department, not to be

confused with the Commonwealth agency of the same name) were up to the challenge.

The result is the Native Vegetation Regulatory (NVR) Map for NSW, a tool that helps landholders make decisions about managing their land.

Developing capability through partnerships

In 2008, the Remote Sensing team, comprising just three people at the time, was formally established in the Department. Its first objective was to establish the Statewide Land and Tree Survey (SLATS), based on the exceptional work of counterparts in Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. The SLATS programs have delivered treeclearing data for NSW and Queensland back to 1988 and continue today.

Prior to the establishment of the Remote Sensing team, the Department had just completed the statewide land-use map as part of the broader national Australian Collaborative Land Use and Management Program, mapping agriculture, forestry, conservation and development work across NSW and monitoring for changes. Meanwhile, in 2007, the Joint Remote

Sensing Research Program (JRSRP) was formed to advance remote sensing research through a partnership with the University of Queensland and the NSW and Queensland governments.

In 2014, an independent panel recommended that the NSW government create a map to clarify the requirements for land clearing permission based on vegetation and land use, to provide certainty for landholders concerning land management decisions.

This advice was accepted, and in 2015, the Remote Sensing team set out to deliver the new map.

Bringing together diverse spatial data

In order to meet customer needs for an accurate map that showed land use history, remnant native vegetation and environmental risks, the project needed to bring together diverse types of spatial data together in one product. The first iteration of the draft map would need to merge three important layers across all rural-zoned land: land use, woody vegetation and historical clearing data, which were products that had been developed within the Department over time for different needs.

Mapping land use formed the first base layer. Analysts used high-resolution aerial and satellite images to show where

ground cover had been cleared for agricultural activities, such as cropping and sown pastures, or where land was used for perennial horticulture or plantation forestry, consistent with national standards.

The woody vegetation extent map layer tracked the location, extent and foliage cover of trees and shrubs at a 5 x 5 metre resolution, even identifying individual tree crowns. This map was updated to reflect changes in woody vegetation since 2011, based on available aerial and satellite imagery to 2017.

Using satellite image archives, the NSW SLATS program has mapped vegetation cover changes back to 1988, identifying clearing by comparing images of the same scenes taken about 12 months apart. Analysts assess if the loss of woody vegetation was due to agriculture, infrastructure, forestry, fire or natural processes, based on expert interpretation of patterns in the imagery, and ground truthing.

Taken together, the land use, woody vegetation and SLATS maps shows areas of vegetation cleared for agriculture,

infrastructure or forestry, and areas that have not been cleared since 1990.

After 21 months, the foundations of the NVR Map were set in place — but developing the remaining layers was far more challenging.

Grasslands, the most challenging component

NSW is a vast mosaic of forest, woodland, grasslands and other ecosystems, and some are easier to understand from remote images than others. Legislative changes in NSW which commenced in 2017 include provisions for managing clearing of grasslands which had not been disturbed since 1990. Native grasslands are especially hard to discern from modified pastures and fallow paddocks using single satellite images alone.

The JRSRP helped provide a solution to this challenge, which was a pivotal technical breakthrough reminiscent of the move from still photography to motion pictures. The entire satellite image archive was used to

A statewide view of NSW’s Native Vegetation Regulatory (NVR) Map. See the legend for categories.

identify how much change had apparently occurred in each of the 8.9 billion of 30-square-metre pixels which make up NSW. This index, called ‘fractional cover,’ shows the proportion of ‘green’, ‘non-green’ and ‘bare’ fractions in Landsat imagery, compiled into seasonal composites. Collectively, these datasets were used to generate a new derived dataset, the Seasonal Cover Disturbance Imagery and Index (SCDI). The assumption is that disturbed or modified areas generally have larger fluctuations in green cover and bare ground than undisturbed areas. The undisturbed areas generally change vegetation cover more slowly in response to grazing pressure and seasonal conditions and maintain a higher proportion of nongreen cover. This is supported by research driven by the JRSRP.

The SCDI was calibrated from several thousand data points and the entire 29-year archive of Landsat imagery to 2017.

The team used the SCDI and clues to determine if grasslands were disturbed, looking for distinctive patterns across a

"After 21 months, the foundations of the NVR Map were set in place _ but developing the remaining layers was far more challenging."

paddock and comparing them against aerial photo mosaics from around 1990. The team had generated the mosaics from digitised aerial photos, using novel algorithms to piece them together and orthorectify them on the Department’s petabyte scale high performance computer (HPC).

Documenting the complex methodology

The Department’s deep collection of curated environmental and other datasets, along with imagery interpretation expertise and targeted ground truthing, may have been what finally brought the map into good shape at property scale. Beyond the three foundation layers, more than 140 datasets have been used to build the map. These datasets form the strong evidence that drives the indicative categorisation of land

Most of these are related to identifying areas of high environmental risk, while others indicate exempt and excluded land.

The team curates these datasets and assembles them using ESRI ArcGIS and ArcPRO, running rigorous quality checks. These include comparing it against previous supplies to ensure consistency in attribution and expected changes between the two supplies. Keeping track of all this information has been a challenge in itself, and there’s no getting away from a good spreadsheet… or a few hundred of them. The team organises the vector data into a central, prescribed layer geodatabase using parameters set out in a master spreadsheet. This spreadsheet stores data sources, attribute queries, layer interactions and build order. This is then clipped into 344 individual 1:100,000 topographic map

Seasonal Cover Disturbance Imagery and Index (SCDI Imagery. Yellow areas indicates high levels of disturbance over the time-period; purple is generally woody cover, and blue is generally grassland component that has been subject to minimal disturbance. In the Moree example, the broadacre cropping areas are showing a strong disturbance pattern. In the Tarago example, this is pasturedominated landscape with a mix of sown and native pastures present. Mappers used the SCDI in conjunction with other imagery looking for indications of agricultural patterns, to determine whether or not paddocks were disturbed.

matching set of foundation data. Since the draft map was made publicly available in October 2022, the team re-runs this process each year to keep it current.

A series of complex Python scripts go to work, coiling and compressing input layers with native raster data for woody extent and vulnerable steep areas.

After another round of quality assurance checks on the tiles, the scripts stitch the tiles together to form a seamless statewide map, which is loaded onto a Geocortex web portal. Delivering this data in raster form is the best way to provide information to landholders via the Geocortex map portal because it refreshes quickly. It also avoids the complexities of statewidescale geometries of combining more than 140 vector datasets and their associated interactions, not to mention adding few raster datasets into the mix. A final series of quality assurance checks and user acceptance testing are performed before an annual update is published.

"Working with landholders helped improve the map, and showcased what is now possible using technological innovation and grit."

To ensure transparency and best practice, the team has sought external advice all along the way, published the methods on the departmental website, and revised them as needed. In 2015 and 2017, independent experts from Geoscience Australia, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and the Victorian and Queensland governments reviewed the map method and found the method was appropriate. The Department published its method most recently in 2022, which describes the science and analytical processes used to develop the native vegetation regulatory map.

Listening to customers and refining the map

While the technical processes of developing the map were key to producing strong initial maps that were often accurate at the property scale, the team persisted for several years to improve its accuracy, working closely with landholders who know their land like the back of their hands. In 2017, the Department ran a series of workshops around the map and its legislative purpose.

SCDI 1987-2017 Moree

SCDI 1987-2017 Tarago

Landholders were given a draft version of their map, to identify where they thought it might have been incorrect.

RMCG Consulting independently interviewed landholders from the 2017 consultation and found most were satisfied with the maps in relation to legislative settings.

In 2019, the Department and Local Land Services assessed map accuracy in the Snowy Monaro region, one of the most complex grassland areas in NSW. Landholders provided detailed management histories, including sowing activities and fertiliser records, for 668 paddocks covering 26,000 hectares. Comparing this data with the map and legislative settings showed over 90% accuracy.

In 2022, the Eltons Landholder Evaluation, which is also available on the departmental website, involved 96 landholders and 123 properties, representing just over 1% of NSW. Most landholders trusted the map, found it useful and valued the review process.

Working with landholders helped improve the map, and showcased what is now possible using technological innovation and grit. It also pioneered an ongoing map review function — a map review team. A team of regionally based staff continue to provide customer

services to landholders who want to have the mapping on their land reviewed, and the insights from this process are used to continually improve it. The map review process is a leading-edge approach to legislation and regulation, giving landholders a way to challenge the map if they think there’s been a mistake. They can submit extra land management details, which the mapping team uses to re-assess and fine-tune the map with more context.

Continual process improvement

The team, working with others in the Department, has developed a workflow which ensures continuous improvement. The result is a technically robust design that enables the map to be recompiled as new data comes to hand and the open approach to customer feedback. Land management decisions, such as biodiversity agreements or vegetation clearing, are reflected in map updates. The original datasets have now been split into over 175 inputs, accounting for the unique settings of each dataset and delivering a more accurate and effective map. The map is also refreshed annually.

The data for steep lands, which are often more prone to erosion and need additional protection, are a great example

of process improvement. Originally, steep land (greater than 18 degrees slope) was based on 30m raster data from the Shuttle Radar Topographic mission, run by the United States Geological Survey. The team has now upgraded to a 5m digital elevation model (DEM) and incorporated this into the map. This new steep lands capability is based on data from the ELVIS Elevation and Depth data platform. ELVIS was established under the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping, providing centralised access to all available point cloud height data. The ELVIS data was processed into a 5m DEM by the Remote Sensing team, delivering the new steep lands product for NSW. This has dramatically reduced the rate of map review request for this attribute.

The Regulatory Mapping team would love to hear from readers about any other examples of map review or improvement programs they are aware of. Drop a line to NVRMap.Team@environment.nsw.gov.au.

This article was supplied by the NSW DCCEEW Remote Sensing and Landscape Science team. You can read more about the NSW Native Vegetation Regulatory map at https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/ animals-and-plants/biodiversity/nativevegetation-regulatory-map n

Example of the Native Vegetation Regulatory (NVR) Map in a broadacre dryland cropping landscape at Coolamon, NSW.

Seafloor mapping with remotely controlled USVs

Ireland-headquartered XOCEAN is expanding its operations around the world, including here in Australia.

Hydrographic surveying is big business. With offshore wind farms and other at-sea facilities popping up all over the globe, there has never been a greater need for seafloor mapping and surveillance.

Traditionally, hydrographic surveying has been accomplished using crewed vessels. But more and more lately, the task is being turned over to uncrewed vessels, with all the advantages they bring — no need for crew quarters and on-board support facilities, greater safety, smaller size, lower purchase and operating costs… the list goes on.

One company that jumped on the bandwagon early and now operates around the world, is Ireland-based XOCEAN. Founded in 2017, its operations rely on a fleet of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) that harvest high-resolution data while being remotely controlled via satellite. Each USV weighs just 750 kg and has dimensions of just 4.5 m x 2.2m. The company says that, due to the USVs’ small size and light weight, their carbon footprint is 1,000 times less than conventional vessels. They also produce lower levels of noise, thereby lessening their effect on the environment.

BY JONATHAN NALLY

XOCEAN has scaled quickly and now operates in 22 jurisdictions across Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific. It recently secured a €30 million investment and lately has established a state-of-the-art technical and manufacturing centre here in Australia.

“We continue to experience rapid growth, driven largely by the major expansion of the international offshore wind market and the need for clean, renewable energy globally,” said Kevin Harnett, XOCEAN’s Chief Revenue Officer. “Over the past year we have grown our USV fleet to 30 and doubled our headcount to 250, and we plan to double this again within two years.”

According to Harnett, XOCEAN has harvested more than 4 million gigabytes of data and supported the development of more than 45 gigawatts of new offshore wind capacity.

The company aims to operate the world’s largest fleet of survey class USVs. Its current USV is an uncrewed ‘over the horizon’ vessel that sends real-time images and situational awareness data to XOCEAN’s team of qualified USV pilots and surveyors. Equipment carried includes multibeam echosounders, sub-bottom profilers, sidescan sonar and magnetometers. A typical mission lasts 10 days offshore.

In Australia, XOCEAN has its eyes on current and upcoming offshore windfarm projects, as well as what might be called ‘standard’ hydrographic work through the HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP). The company was added to the HIPP’s panel of approved industry providers earlier this year.

“We completed our first Australian

One of XOCEAN’s USVs at work near an offshore windfarm.

XOCEAN has operations around the globe.

survey in 2023 with a non-invasive geophysical survey in Waratah Bay and have since opened our state-of-the-art technical hub in Melbourne,” said Harnett.

Being an operator of remotely controlled vessels means that XOCEAN’s staff can be located anywhere in the world, including Australia. “Our global operations utilise a work force based in different geographic locations and time zones,” said Harnett. “This has reduced the need for night shifts and irregular working hours, creating a more balanced lifestyle for ‘traditional’ seafarers.”

And the company is looking to employ more Australians in the coming months.

“We are seeking passionate professionals for various roles, including hydrographic data processors, surveyors and marine pilots,” said Harnett. “Due to the nature of our remote systems, the workforce in Australia is deployed on global projects — giving professionals an opportunity to use their skillset in a broad range of environments.”

Safety is another big factor. By eliminating the need for large crews to spend weeks at sea, the remotely controlled USVs do not put crew members at risk of any harm.

The operation also opens opportunities for greater gender diversity in the maritime sector, says Harnett. “We are committed to creating a barrier-free work environment for women in maritime and currently operate at 31 times the industry average for female seafarers.”

Harnett says XOCEAN is eager to both share its expertise and gain valuable insights from the Australian geospatial community as it expands its operations here. “Engaging with local professionals and organisations will allow us to contribute meaningfully to the industry while also learning from the unique perspectives and innovations that Australia has to offer,” he said. n

Donna O’Sullivan, UK-based USV Pilot

What is your background?

I began my career working for BP shipping, having completed my cadetship aboard their oil and gas tankers. I then moved to a bunker barge in Gibraltar for around four years before spending most of my career aboard ferries from Dover to Dunkirk, and eventually for P&O ferries out of Ireland.

How did you find out about the job?

An ex-colleague mentioned that he was doing contract work for XOCEAN when he was home from sea and explained a little bit about it. I was really interested in the innovative technology and the offering of a route from offshore to onshore while continuing to use my maritime experience.

How is the work/life balance?

While working at sea can be an intense and immersive experience, remote USV operations provide a better opportunity for a balanced lifestyle. The key advantages of remote work — such as the ability to disconnect after hours, maintain a regular routine and stay close to loved ones — make it easier to manage personal and professional responsibilities.

In which parts of the world do you operate?

So far, mostly around Ireland and the UK. I am rostered to work a shift in Greenland this week which is very exciting; I must admit I have been logging on to the cameras to check out the scenery and the work being done.

What do you enjoy about the job?

Day to day the innovation in this field keeps the job dynamic and stimulating. What I enjoy most is the unique combination of cutting-edge technology, meaningful environmental impact and the flexibility of remote work.

Laurie Smith, Australia-based USV Pilot

What is your background?

I have 10 years’ experience in the maritime sector, moving from port operations into merchant shipping as a deck officer trading internationally on a variety of vessel types. How did you find out about the job?

I found out about XOCEAN whilst completing a Dynamic Positioning course in Perth. The instructor had sailed in the past with an XOCEAN employee and was aware of potential job openings as the company was expanding into Australia.

Was there a big learning curve?

There was an adjustment period, primarily for my family as they adapted to me being home permanently instead of constantly coming and going. However, once we adjusted, it turned out to be a better fit for all of us.

Have there been any challenges?

Learning many new programs and methods for working online, but this is expected when taking on any new role.

How is the work/life balance?

Great! I feel I have achieved a healthy balance between work and spending quality time with my family and community.

In which part(s) of the world do you operate?

So far, I have been remotely operating vessels in the North Sea and Celtic Sea.

What do you enjoy about the job?

What I like about the role is that it doesn’t require any travel for day-to-day operations, so once I hand over a shift, I’m immediately available. Working for the company has been very rewarding, and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to develop new skills and communication techniques. Even though the work is remote, I find the team to be very warm and welcoming, always willing to share their knowledge and provide training.

XOCEAN’s Kevin Harnett

Microcredentials help fill the skills gap

UniSQ drone mapping and GIS courses aimed to teach new skills and help professionals stay competitive.

In June last year, the federal government announced $18.5 million in funding to support the design and delivery of up to 28 microcredential courses from 18 universities across the country, to help fill the skills gap in crucial industry sectors.

A group of successful courses were selected from more than 90 submitted in the first round of the Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education program. Unfortunately, there were no geospatial-related courses listed in the second round of the program, announced on 29 August 2024.

Nonetheless, the first round was evidently a success, and, importantly for the geospatial sector — which, like many others, is facing a severe shortfall of skilled professionals — it included three courses of direct relevance:

• Drone Mapping and Navigation Systems — provided by the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ)

• GIS for Professionals — also provided by UniSQ

• Building Information Modelling (BIM) — provided by the University of Technology Sydney

At the time of the Round 1 announcement, UniSQ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geraldine Mackenzie, said the courses would be “codesigned and co-developed with industry to meet current and future industry needs,” adding that ““The collaborative approach to development and delivery with industry will fast-track workforce development while improving access to higher education for people in the workforce.”

The two UniSQ courses were offered over two trimesters commencing in January and May this year. To find out how they went, we spoke with Associate Professor Zahra Gharineiat from the School of Surveying and Built Environment, who says that the courses not only taught new skills but also “help professionals stay competitive in rapidly evolving industries driven by technological advancements”.

What was the catalyst for the courses?

The courses were designed to fill a critical skills gap in drone technology and geospatial

BY JONATHAN NALLY

"The

analysis. The catalyst was the industry’s growing need for professionals with handson expertise. The goal is to offer flexible, industry-focused education that professionals can immediately apply in their work.

Who were they aimed at?

These courses targeted professionals in surveying, forestry, agriculture, construction, archaeology and related fields, who want to enhance their skills in drone technology and GIS. The courses are comprehensive, teaching everything from GNSS navigation to drone mapping, with no prior knowledge required.

From what backgrounds did the students come?

Our students came from diverse professional backgrounds, primarily employees from private and government sectors who wanted to upskill in drone technology. We received a solid number of applications and interest, and we hope to increase enrolment in future offerings.

What did they learn?

In the Drone Mapping and Navigation course, students gained hands-on skills

in GNSS data collection, drone-based photogrammetry, remote sensing and LiDAR data processing. They learnt to design and execute drone missions, process various types of imagery, and apply these techniques in topographic mapping, engineering, and agriculture. The GIS course allowed students to enhance their geospatial data analysis and management skills through a related microcredential.

What qualification do they take away at the end?

Upon completion, students received a recognised microcredential in drone mapping and GIS. Additionally, each courses offered credit toward two courses in our surveying and GIS undergraduate program, further boosting the students’ academic and professional credentials.

Will the courses continue to run?

Yes, we are considering offering these courses in the coming years, based on demand and the success of the initial offerings.

For more information, go to upskill. usq.edu.au and education.gov.au/ microcredentials-pilot-higher-education. n

courses were designed to fill a critical skills gap in drone technology and geospatial analysis." – Associate Professor Zahra Gharineiat

Finding a satisfying career in surveying

Dempsey May is living proof that you shouldn’t set limits on your career ambitions.

Despite going only as far as Year 9 at high school, Dempsey May decided to become an adult student and take on Curtin University’s Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) degree. He came out on top as Dux of the program, achieving First Class Honours and receiving more than a dozen awards and prizes, including both Best Spatial Sciences student and Best Bachelor of Surveying student awards for three years in a row. He has also received industry scholarships and accolades such as the C.R. Kennedy Laser Scanning Prize and the WASMA Silver Medal.

We spoke with Dempsey to find out what drives his passion for surveying and what he plans for his career.

Why did you decide to study surveying?

Initially, I chose to pursue a degree in surveying due to the excellent job prospects, the field/office balance and the technology. But in a broader sense, I didn’t start my academic journey with the intention of becoming a surveyor. After my first semester of a bridging course, I had to pick a degree to transition into. After some research, I picked surveying based on the qualities mentioned above.

Why did you choose Curtin University?

Curtin was my only choice. I’m not trying to devalue the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences (or Curtin) by saying this, but to gain entry into the university I had to complete a bridging course. I needed to

"I get great satisfaction from taking a project through all stages planning, execution, processing and delivery."

complete this bridging course as I had only finished Year 9 of my secondary education.

Curtin University with Canning College used to run a well-managed and well-executed bridging course called the ‘Enabling Course for Science, Engineering and Health’. This was a year-long program that ran through an accelerated Year 11/12 curriculum. Curtin would guarantee you entry into most of its STEM degrees upon successful completion. Unfortunately, the university has since superseded this course, which is quite unfortunate as it was well-adapted to support individuals who have a similar background to mine.

What

was your ambition when you began studying?

My main goal was to establish

the roots of a long-term career; I feel I have somewhat achieved this after completing my undergraduate degree. However, I believe that continued learning and improvement is necessary to stay up to date with technology and methodologies, especially in the ever-improving discipline of the spatial sciences.

Where

are you working now?

I work for Rio Tinto Iron Ore as a Graduate Mine Surveyor at its Yandicoogina operations. This role is part of Rio Tinto’s Graduate Program, which aims to move graduates around to different aspects of the business. I should be switching to a role based in Perth in late November.

In my spare time, I sometimes help deliver some units in Curtin’s Bachelor of

BY JONATHAN NALLY

Surveying program as a lab instructor/tutor, but I’m taking a little break from this.

What do you enjoy about working in this field?

I get great satisfaction from taking a project through all stages — planning, execution, processing and delivery. There is something joyful about performing a geospatial capture (whether LiDAR scanning or photogrammetry) and then processing the data into the final deliverables.

What are your career ambitions?

At this stage, my primary goals are to finish the Rio Tinto Graduate Program and then work towards getting my Grade Two Mine Survey Authorisation. In the future, I would like to return to the university and undertake a PhD project.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a geospatial career?

The hardest part of doing anything is getting started, so I recommend just giving it a shot! I’m under the impression that you will find that most companies are receptive to getting younger people into the industry and are open to providing workplace experiences, internships, traineeships and even casual employment. So, I suggest approaching as many companies as possible to try and obtain one of these opportunities, such that you can test the waters and decide whether this field is truly for you.

Do you know a young professional whose career achievements should be recognised? Drop us a line: jnally@intermedia.com.au. n

Dempsey May

Ordnance Survey outlines its AI principles

Britain’s national mapping body says it wants to use AI to effect positive change.

Great Britain’s national mapping service, the Ordnance Survey (OS), has published a set of eight guiding principles which, it says, will ensure it uses artificial intelligence (AI) effectively but responsibly to drive positive change.

Acknowledging that AI is set to the change the world and the way in business is done, including the geospatial sector, OS says it has committed itself to a “holistic approach to responsible AI usage” that “encompasses technical, ethical, and societal focus”.

OS says the eight principles or priority areas for responsible AI implementation “aim to promote the development and deployment of AI technologies that benefit society, while minimising potential harm”. They are as follows:

1. Deeds not words. OS says it commits to “adhering to established principles,

guidelines, governance processes, regulations, and standards related to responsible AI. And should we consider instances where such frameworks may be lacking, we will collaborate with experts, decision-makers, and stakeholders to develop them.”

2. Good governance. OS says it pledges to “continuously monitor, enhance, and document our AI systems across five critical dimensions,” being explainability, interpretability and reproducibility; accountability; diversity, non-discrimination and fairness, technical robustness and safety; and privacy and security.

3. Be aware of harms.

The organisation says its commitment extends to “evaluating the potential harms arising from AI, and we will regularly assess the potential impacts of AI on physical and mental health, opportunities, livelihoods, as well as cultural, civil, and human rights”.

4. Stakeholders. OS says that its recognises and upholds the “rights of all stakeholders affected by our AI systems, including individuals, communities, society, the environment, and particularly vulnerable groups with limited power or voice. We will actively seek insights and understanding from those impacted by our AI initiatives.”

5. Whole pipeline. The organisation says its recognises that its responsibility “spans every stage of the AI lifecycle, across induction, design, development, testing, and deployment. We will ensure that responsible AI considerations are integrated into each and every phase.”

6. Whole stack. OS says it commits to addressing the “broader ecosystem including data, code, algorithms, platforms, infrastructure, and organisational practices. We will prioritise documentation, scrutiny, and governance across the entire AI stack.”

7. Whole system. The organisation says it will

“critically examine the purpose and scope of AI systems, emphasising not only the final product but also the underlying processes, parameters, and impacts on stakeholders. Our scrutiny will extend to the broader societal implications of AI deployment.”

8. Responsibility first. And the final principle is to “prioritise responsibility over technical capabilities, ensuring that our AI systems align with our capacity to fulfil commitments to responsible AI. This includes setting and adhering to constraints such as time, storage, computation, and documentation budgets.”

OS says its approach will ensure the organisation “is neither left behind, nor rushes into something unexpected,” and that it will assist in “actively integrating machine learning into the development of our products, with a dual focus: enhancing the efficiency of internal processes and improving the discoverability and adoption of our offerings”. n

Handheld reality capture redefined

The construction industry is on the cusp of a digital revolution, with advancements in innovative technologies transforming the way projects are executed. Labour shortages, time delays and costly rework provide ongoing challenges for site managers… but one newly released solution, the NavVis MLX, is positioned to significantly transform workflows.

Aptella, the authorised distributor for NavVis in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, has introduced the MLX, the newest dynamic, handheld laser scanner to the construction market. A significant advancement in the field of reality capture, this lightweight, ergonomic solution sets a new standard for exceptional quality, efficiency and portability in data capture.

Overcoming limitations in handheld scanning

Traditionally, handheld laser scanners have suffered from limitations such as low-quality data, tedious operation and unreliability. These limitations often lead to compromises in accuracy and efficiency, and the quality of work.

The newly released NavVis MLX addresses these challenges head-on. It boasts a 32-layer LiDAR sensor, capturing high-resolution panoramic images and delivering exceptional point clouds, providing precise digital representations of even the most intricate building elements. The unique design ensures optimal LiDAR positioning for superior data

capture, while the comfortable harness system enables extended scanning sessions and detailed environmental capture. Additionally, the MLX’s lightweight and compact design makes it easy to transport and deploy, significantly speeding up workflows for AEC and surveying professionals.

Beyond traditional scanning: The NavVis advantage

Beyond its traditional handheld scanner capabilities, the NavVis MLX creates 360-degree panoramic images, unlocking valuable data for diverse applications and project stakeholders.

“In the reality capture world where precision and efficiency are paramount, the NavVis MLX represents a groundbreaking leap forward,” says Geoffrey Preece, Market Development Manager for the Geospatial industry at Aptella. “As we navigate the future of construction, embracing this cutting-edge technology will not only redefine reality capture but also allow our customers to set new standards for excellence in their industries.”

A seamless ecosystem for enhanced workflows

The NavVis MLX seamlessly integrates with the existing NavVis ecosystem. It can operate independently or in tandem with the NavVis VLX wearable scanner, offering a versatile and accessible solution for indoor and outdoor environments. Back in

the office, captured data from both devices works flawlessly with NavVis IVION software, creating a robust digital twin foundation for enhanced collaboration and informed decision-making.

Investing in the future of construction

Aptella is committed to providing construction and surveying professionals with cutting-edge technology that streamlines workflows and improves project outcomes. The NavVis MLX is a significant leap forward in handheld reality capture, offering unparalleled versatility and productivity when it comes to data capture.

For more information, visit aptella.com/ product/navvis-mlx. n

Could PNT have its own ‘CrowdStrike’ moment?

BY JONATHAN NALLY

GNSS outages have occurred before, and experts say the next time could be worse unless the world wakes up to PNT’s vulnerabilities.

July’s global IT outage caused by a routine but errant software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, has had people questioning the vulnerablility of a whole range of ICT systems.

One specific system that remains a growing source of concern is the positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) network, which is almost entirely reliant on space-based global navigation satellite systems (GNSS).

The question then is, are space-based PNT systems at risk of having a serious outage caused by a similar errant software update? Could they have their own CrowdStrike moment?

The answer is that, yes, not only could it happen, but it has already happened, and on more than one occasion.

PNT’s CrowdStrike moments

On 1 April 2014, an operator error saw an incorrect ephemeris uploaded to the Russian GLONASS satellite fleet, disrupting systems around the world. In New Zealand for instance, observations from the GeoNet network indicated “that a significant percentage of the 79 GLONASS-enabled receivers experienced total tracking failures during the outage period, which caused real-time streaming outages and data loss”.

While the error was spotted quickly and solved by uploading the correct ephemeris, it still took more than 10 hours for the problem to be completely rectified.

In January 2016, the US had its own CrowdStrike moment when “Errors in the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) offset parameters broadcast by Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites caused many thousands of GPS-controlled clocks to be in error by approximately -13 µs”. The incorrect timing information — which was broadcast by 15 satellites, or half the available GPS fleet at the time — was caused by an error in a ground software update that

“If

you thought CrowdStrike caused chaos, imagine if a GNSS went down.”

A/Prof Martin O’Connor, QuantX Labs

destruction in the event of war, and for a country such as Australia the sovereign risk of being entirely dependent upon overseas systems.

For instance, Australia and New Zealand’s brand new space-based augmentation system (SBAS), SouthPAN, suffered two outages a little over a month apart last year. The disruption inconvenienced many users such as farmers, who were employing the service to engage in precise positioning of harvesting equipment. SouthPAN signals are broadcast by an Inmarsat satellite.

Worse to come?

The failures described above were bad enough in their own ways, but they would pale into insignificance in the face of more serious, widespread or prolonged global outages.

“If you thought CrowdStrike caused chaos, imagine if a GNSS went down. This is a critical and vulnerable capability that every sector worldwide relies upon,” says A/ Prof Martin O’Connor, General Manager of Adelaide-based QuantX Labs.

“The global PNT ecosystem is vulnerable and is susceptible to jamming, spoofing and cyber security breaches,” agrees Eldar Rubinov, Positioning and Geodesy Technical Lead at FrontierSI. “Currently, there isn’t a reliable back-up system in place, which means that wide-scale disruptions are possible. Depending on the nature of the event these disruptions could be local, regional or global.”

Several studies have attempted to estimate the economic loss that would be caused by an outage or denial of GPS. One such study, which assumed that all GNSS systems became unserviceable at the same time, found that for the US “the loss of GPS service would have a [US]$1 billion per-day impact. If the outage were to occur during the critical planting season in April and May and lasted multiple weeks, the impacts could be as much as 50% higher because of the widespread adoption of GPS-enabled precision agriculture technologies by American farmers.”

“This underscores the urgent need for resilient backup strategies to be implemented worldwide,” says Rubinov.

the same level of resilience as other Australian critical infrastructure assets.

• Developing an alternative source of timing, either through space or terrestrial means, that will aid in synchronisation and dissemination across the nation.

• Review and address the nation’s supply chain dependencies on atomic clock technology.

• Undertaking a comprehensive study and appraisal of all vulnerabilities to a loss of GNSS, with recommended mitigations.

The report also says that given the “multifaceted intersection of PNT across various Australian Government agencies and departments, a National PNT Office is necessary to consolidate PNT-related outputs and provide governance of PNT issues for Australia”. The United Kingdom has recently taken this very step, with the planned establishment of a National PNT Office and a National Timing Centre.

Other technologies

One of the solutions to the problem is the development of alternate and resilient PNT systems that can either augment or take over from GNSS, including ground-based systems. Many countries and companies are working on such solutions, including some firms in Australia.

“QuantX Labs are developing solutions to address this exact problem,” says O’Connor. “Terrestrial, compact and portable solutions that will ensure that every asset whether land-, sea- or air-based has access to local timing that will keep their systems synchronised in the event of a GPS outage.”

QuantX has developed expertise in the design of quantum-enabled technologies and has been highly successful in obtaining government grants to further its work. In late 2023, it secured $750,000 from the Department of Defence for a research project aimed at revolutionising a secured PNT capability for defence applications.

happened during the decommissioning of what was then the oldest of the satellites.

Not to be outdone by the Russians and Americans, Europe’s Galileo system had a CrowdStrike moment in July 2019 when, “during a system upgrade, a service incident occurred in the Galileo ground infrastructure. Despite intense recovery efforts, it resulted in a sixday interruption of the Galileo initial navigation and timing services.”

Outages caused by human errors and software glitches are not the only danger. There are also the risks of denials of service via jamming and spoofing,

Earlier this year, FrontierSI released a report and a white paper that reviewed Australian policies and activities related to the provision of PNT services, finding that “PNT is an essential utility we presently have no control over”.

Calling resilient PNT a “non-negotiable” requirement for safeguarding Australia’s critical infrastructure and economic vitality, the report and white paper outlined measures that would boost resilience:

• Ensuring that building resilient PNT services is not treated as an outcome to enforcement of legislation, but that other methods should be considered to achieve

The project, called ‘Quantum-Secured Time Transfer for Resilient PNT,’ seeks to employ quantum technology to guarantee the authenticity of received PNT data, thereby making spoofing impossible.

Earlier in 2023, a consortium led by QuantX was awarded a $3.7 million Australian Space Agency Moon to Mars grant to test a next-generation optical atomic clock in orbit. The company says this technology aims to bridge “the gap between large laboratory-based frequency standards and lower precision portable standards. This portability combined with cutting edge stability enables a range of new applications from high-precision terrestrial navigation on mobile platforms to its deployment on MEO and LEO PNT constellations.”

And in early 2024, QuantX secured another Moon to Mars grant to the tune of $532,222 to establish an advanced photonics manufacturing facility to support in-country manufacturing of quantumcapable, miniaturised timing and sensing systems for supporting PNT in space and on Earth.

Time to wake up?

Another Australian firm, Locata, has been supplying ground-based or ‘terrestrial’ precision timing and positioning systems for many years, based on its homegrown proprietary technology. Its customer base includes military, mining, maritime port, aviation and warehousing clients around the world. The company’s CEO, Nunzio Gambale, is not backward in coming forward with his views about the vulnerability of space-based PNT and the need for action.

A major GNSS outage “would be a disaster, an absolutely unmitigated disaster,” he says, highlighting the point that the GNSS would be the first targets in any future major military conflict.

Having recently attended the Assured PNT Summit in Washington, DC, “I came away from there with two feelings,” Gambale said. “Number one, America is preparing for war. And number two, they are also preparing for a world where there is no GPS.”

Gambale cites estimates that, should a

major conflict break out and the GPS be defeated, it could render ineffective perhaps as much as 70% of the US military’s major combat systems. And so, it’s no wonder the US is seeking alternatives.

“They’re working on quantum. They’re working on gravitational systems. They can track stars in daylight. And they’re not doing it just for fun,” he says. “The point is, the military will have a solution, but we won’t. And that should scare everyone because the CrowdStrike problem was child’s play compared to what could happen to GPS.”

“And this is something that I’ve been trying to say to authorities in Australia,” he added. “Australia should wake up, because one of the solutions to this problem, Locata, is here, and it has been developed completely in Australia.”

“We’ve spent 25 years developing this ‘impossible’ technology because we’ve been aware of the problem for decades, yet we have been ignored by the majority of the industry. Why? Because the space-based community has the megaphone and we’re drowned out in the noise.”

Gambale draws a comparison between PNT vulnerability and aircraft safety.

“There was something like 85 or 90 hijackings of aircraft before 9/11, but nobody put impenetrable doors on the cockpit until after 9/11,” he says. “It takes a disaster for people to wake up, but by then it’s way too late.” n

Researching resilient defence PNT

FrontierSI has begun a new research project titled ‘Armouring the Clock: Providing Direction to Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing,’ which aims to strengthen the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities.

This main focus of the research will be to deliver policy recommendations, especially with regard to the IndoPacific maritime domain. It will build on the work begun with FrontierSI’s recent white paper, A Time and A Place for Resilience.

The project is being undertaken under the federal government’s 2024 Strategic Policy Grants Program, and will:

• Help identify gaps in Australia’s PNT policy;

• Gain insights from the policies and approaches of allied nations; and

• Assess the critical capabilities and technological needs essential for ensuring the ADF’s resilience.

Although numerous reports have been written on the subject, and funding provided for projects of one kind or another both domestically and overseas, many would say that there is a lack of coordinated effort to tackle the problems in the PNT ecosystem.

The Australian Government was supposed to have published a national PNT roadmap more than 18 months ago, but, although a report has apparently been completed, it has not yet been released.

A row of Locata antennae installed at a port. Image courtesy Locata.

Expanding the machine learning tools in Global Mapper Pro 26.0

Engineering-level accuracy and more frequent data collection is enabling better analysis and faster decision-making.

Global Mapper Pro®, the all-in-one geospatial software tool from Blue Marble Geographics® recently debuted version 26.0 with exciting new features driven by collaboration and insights from our users. This version of Global Mapper pushes forward with updates to the machine-learning-based automatic point cloud analysis and adds deep learning image analysis in the new Global Mapper Insight and Learning Engine™ (beta) which is now available for beta testing in Global Mapper Pro 26.0.

Complete point cloud analysis workflows in Global Mapper Pro

Starting with a raw LiDAR point cloud or a set of drone/UAVcollected images, Global Mapper Pro can take workflows from start to finish with its wide array of tools. The Pixels to Points® photogrammetric tool processes drone/UAV-collected images to create seamless 3D data outputs from a set of overlapping images.

Point cloud classification in Global Mapper Pro uses an advanced, segmentation-based method to automatically identify basic classes such as ground, buildings, vegetation, powerlines and poles. To extract even more information from a 3D point cloud, Global Mapper Pro provides a cutting-edge machine-learning tool for the building of custom point cloud classifications. By collecting samples of a specific feature type in a point cloud, a class signature is built and can then be saved, shared and used to identify custom features. This functionality available in Global Mapper Pro is already in use across industries on large and small scales, with objects such as airplanes, cars, paint lines on asphalt, bridge structural components and more being identified and classified from raw LiDAR data.

Working in combination all within a single program, the advanced point cloud tools in Global Mapper Pro enable users to load data from multiple sources and process it into classified datasets and terrain surfaces, ready for further analysis.

Incorporate raster data with advanced image analysis

Moving from 3D data analysis into 2D raster image analysis, perhaps the largest addition to Global Mapper Pro v26.0 is the

Insight and Learning Engine, a new module featuring deep learning-based image analysis. The Insight and Learning Engine provides advanced object detection and land cover classification models. With built-in models for vehicle detection, building extraction and land cover classification, the Insight and Learning Engine extracts vital information from high-resolution imagery.

Image analysis inherently has many variables to account for — date of acquisition, sensor type, cloud cover and other environmental factors, along with many other factors, can all impact an image. The Insight and Learning Engine addresses this with a fine-tuning tool. By utilising data markup tools in Global Mapper Pro, the fine-tuning interface in the Insight and Learning Engine enables users to create ground-truth data. Existing models can be iteratively fine-tuned or fully re-trained to produce better classification and object detection results. Fine-tuned models are then saved in-app, allowing users to reuse them again and again, or continue fine-tuning with additional datasets.

Going beyond fine-tuning, which allows a user to control how deeply a model is adjusted, the Insight and Learning Engine allows users to conduct a full training. This may be necessary when training data is differs enough from data for which the models are best suited that initial inference results are less than ideal. This is accomplished with user provided imagery and corresponding ground truth. The results of this process, in addition to those of fine-tuning, can then be saved or further trained with goals of accurately identifying custom classes from loaded imagery.

Adding the Insight and Learning Engine to the suite of Global Mapper tools increases the depth of functionality in the program and broadens the advanced analysis techniques from point cloud data to raster image classification. Combining these significant machine learning tools with all the other updates and improvements in Global Mapper Pro 26.0, such as solar shadow analysis, improvements to the Pixels to Points drone/UAV toolset and extra LiDAR attribute handling, to make the program a powerful choice for geospatial software. With these expansions to functionality available in Global Mapper Pro v26.0 make the program an invaluable geospatial data creation and analysis tool across many diverse industries. Learn more about what you can do with Global Mapper Pro at bluemarblegeo.com!

Important note: The new Insight and Learning Engine (beta) in Global Mapper Pro v26.0 is available to all users with active Maintenance and Support. It requires version 26.0 to be installed and licensed. Users who wish to continue the use of the Insight and Learning Engine in Global Mapper Pro v26.1 will need to install that update when it is released in the first half of 2025. These tools will remain available to Pro users in Global Mapper Pro v26.1 until September 2025. n

Spatial information for a better world

October’s ISPRS symposium will canvass initiatives for ushering in the Metaverse era.

Spatial specialists from around the world are about to descend on Fremantle for the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) Technical Commission IV Symposium, which will be held from 22 to 25 October.

The symposium will bring together hundreds of participants to discuss the latest developments in spatial information, with the specific theme of the event being ‘Spatial Information to Empower the Metaverse’.

The speaker line-up includes:

• Barbara J. Ryan, an Earth observation veteran who has worked with the USGS, WGIC, WMO, GEO, CEOS and other bodies. She will speak on the topic of digital twins and the metaverse.

• Qihao Weng, Chair Professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who will speak on topic of how AI will transform urban observing, sensing, imaging and mapping.

• Renee Bartolo, who leads drone operations and associated data analytics across the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water with her team in the Office of the Chief Remote Pilot. She will speak on the topic of environmental monitoring using drones and AI in remote Australia.

• Hidenori Fujimura, the Lead of the United Nations Smart Maps Group, the 7th Domain Working Group of the United Nations Open GIS Initiative, who will speak about UN Smart Maps, an open initiative for data fusion.

• Ahi Saipaia, the lead Technical Officer for Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture,

Food, Forests and Fisheries, who will speak about co-development of opensource geospatial applications and workflows for mapping diverse cropping systems in the Pacific.

• Wu Chen, professor of satellite navigation and the director of navigation laboratory at Department of Land Surveying and Geoinformatics at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who will speak about the challenges of delivering resilient ubiquitous positioning.

The event will also feature in-depth tutorials on topics such as:

• Approaches for simplifying 3D data exchange between systems.

• Building an underwater heritage VR experience with unity.

• Uncovering Earth system dynamics with multivariate EO data and AI.

• Advancing air quality research and public awareness through innovative geospatial technologies.

• Creating immersive GIS experiences with XR technology and real-world data.

• Collecting data in the field with free and open-source geospatial tools: QGIS, QField and Mergin Maps.

• AI for geospatial science.

• 3D spatial modelling and intelligence for scene-realistic analysis and digital twins. The purpose of the ISPRS Technical Commission IV, ‘Spatial Information Sciences,’ is to advance spatial information science, enable spatial digital twins and empower their development into a metaverse. The Commission has a mandate of four years (2022–26), and its research and development efforts are conducted by 11 Working Groups and two Inter-Commission

Working Groups, coordinated by 55 ISPRS officers and more than 100 members.

The October symposium is being jointly organised with the Geospatial Council of Australia, and will be held concurrently with the UPINLBS2024 and Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial (FOSS4G) Perth events.

UPINLBS is an international conference series technically sponsored by the ISPRS that addresses the topics of ubiquitous positioning, indoor navigation and locationbased service. This year’s conference will take place on 24 and 25 October.

FOSS4G Perth, a one-day event on 23 October, will be all about the free and open geospatial software community and its projects, such as QGIS, PostGIS, OpenStreetMap, Python-based Earth observation libraries and frameworks, and GDAL. It will present case studies across business, academia, notfor-profit and government sectors.

In addition to the main symposium sessions, there will also be plenty of opportunities for networking and discovery via field trips, social occasions and technical tours.

Registration details for the combined events, plus lots of other information, are available on the ISPRS Symposium website. n

What: ISPRS TC-IV Symposium, ‘Spatial Information to Empower the Metaverse’

When: 22–25 October 2024

Where: Fremantle, WA Web: https://www.isprs.org/tc4symposium2024

Utility locator

UAV-suitable camera

Phase One’s P5 engineering surveying camera is, the company says, purpose-built for drone-based aerial surveying. With a mass of less than 700 g, it is suitable for mini fixed and transitional UAVs, and offers flexible mounting options for land or corridor surveying. It has a fast 1 G interface and industry-standard MAVLink/Auterion communication protocols, and Phase One says the P5 eliminates geometric distortion through meticulous calibration and accurate capture timestamp with mid-exposure triggering. It comes with 35 mm and 80 mm lens options for maximum coverage and minimal noise, achieving 0.5 cm accuracy. The company claims the 128 MP image sensor guarantees low Ground Sample Distance and blurfree images.

Upgraded CAD suite

Topcon has released the latest iteration, version 9, of the Office, Field and Tools modules that make up its CAD suite (formerly known as MAGNET). Whether used for standalone, office-based CAD or as a Cloud-connected field-to-office solution with Topcon or Sokkia survey instruments, it is designed to offer versatile configurations to suit a variety of applications.

The Office module has new options for working with DTMs and spot elevations, while Field now has enhanced productivity and stake reporting capabilities, advanced resection functionality for unknown control points, and a new offset routine to create points that cannot be observed with a total station. Both Field and Office include direct import and export compatibility with 12D XML formats, and AllDayRTK subscribers can now import and export RINEX data directly into Tools with a Plus or RINEX subscription.

Leica Geosystems has released the DD300 CONNECT utility locator and Leica DA300 signal transmitter, which comprise a ready-to-use solution for utility detection. The system offers a range of acquisition frequencies between 33 kHz and 131 kHz (including an 83 kHz frequency ideal for long-distance tracing), and integrates with Leica’s DX Shield software, providing tracking tools and a centralised hub for managing onsite activities and multiple devices.

Novice users can access video tutorials on the LCD display, while expert users have access to a range of features such as digital trim, which enables manual management of the gain bar to adjust sensitivity, assisting the operator to pinpoint the desired target in complex situations with multiple underground utilities.

Anti-jamming and -spoofing update

u-blox has announced support for Galileo OSNMA (Open Service Navigation Message Authentication) in the firmware update of its ZEDF9P high-precision GNSS module. The company says the enhancement advances the module’s spoofing detection and jamming detection capabilities, making it suitable for applications such as uncrewed aerial vehicles and surveying and mapping. In addition, the unit has improved RTK convergence for reducing the risk of incorrect readings important to surveying-related applications. SPARTN Beidou satellite constellation support also enhances capability and boosts the performance of the u-blox PointPerfect GNSS correction service in some regions. Featuring an advanced ionospheric model, the unit delivers a more robust performance during periods of elevated ionospheric activities.

News and views from the Geospatial Council of Australia

GCA Board Members

Kate Lundy President/Chair

Kate Ramsay Deputy Chair

Alistair Byrom Deputy Chair

Jacinta Burns Director

Paul Digney Director

Stewart Dunne Director

Mary-Ellen Feeney Director

Darren Mottolini Director

Roshni Sharma Director

CEO’s Column

A global event on home soil: FIG Working Week 2025 + Locate25

As you may know, the Geospatial Council of Australia (GCA) is proud to be hosting FIG Working Week 2025 alongside our national conference, Locate25, from 6 to 10 April 2025 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. This combined event, which we’re calling LocatePLUS, is set to deliver much more than what you’ve come to expect from our annual national event. By teaming up with the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), we’re bringing the world to Brisbane, and giving you access to a truly global gathering of geospatial professionals.

Locate has long been Australia’s premier event for geospatial professionals. In 2025, it’s set to be even more impactful with the integration of FIG Working Week. As the flagship event of FIG, the Working Week brings together top experts from more than 100 countries to exchange insights, showcase innovations and address industry challenges. Next year, we anticipate attracting between 1,200 and 1,800 attendees from around the world, offering a unique opportunity to learn from leading minds and network with professionals across various geospatial disciplines.

Over five days, you’ll benefit from more than 70 technical sessions, two days of interactive workshops, and a series of plenaries that delve into pressing industry issues. The event will also feature a

comprehensive exhibition, highlighting the latest advancements in geospatial technology — from cutting-edge positioning systems to innovations in AI and big data. This will be your chance to explore the tools and technologies shaping the future of our field.

The overarching theme for the event is ‘Collaboration, Innovation, and Resilience: Championing a Digital Generation’. This reflects the way our profession is adapting to the digital age, embracing new technologies while ensuring that the human element remains central to everything we do.

A global program for everyone

At the heart of the program are the ten FIG commissions, each focusing on a vital area of surveying and geospatial practice. Whether you’re a land surveyor, an engineering surveyor, a hydrographer, a geodesist, geospatial or remote sensing analyst, or a student preparing to enter a career in one of these disciplines, you’ll find a commission that speaks directly to your area of interest. These commissions form the backbone of FIG’s technical agenda, and their sessions at next year’s event will offer cutting-edge insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the industry today.

Here’s an overview of the ten FIG commissions and the topics you can expect to see in the programme:

Commission 1 – Professional Standards and Practice: This commission addresses the development and maintenance of professional standards and practices within the surveying and geospatial fields. It focuses on ensuring that industry practices remain up-to-date and relevant in a rapidly evolving environment.

Commission 2 – Professional Education: Dedicated to advancing professional education, this commission works on improving educational frameworks and training programs for surveyors and geospatial professionals, ensuring they meet the demands of modern practice.

Commission 3 – Spatial Information Management: This commission explores the management and use of spatial data, including data acquisition, integration and analysis. It looks at how spatial information systems support decision-making and operational efficiency.

Commission 4 – Hydrography: Specialising in the study and mapping of water bodies, this commission focuses on hydrographic survey techniques and technologies, addressing challenges related to marine and freshwater environments.

Commission 5 – Positioning and Measurement: This commission deals with advancements in positioning and measurement technologies. It covers topics such as GNSS, remote sensing and other techniques that enhance the accuracy and reliability of spatial data.

Commission 6 – Engineering Surveys: Focusing on the role of surveying in engineering projects, including construction and infrastructure development, this commission examines how surveying supports engineering design and project execution.

Commission 7 – Cadastre and Land Management: Addressing land administration and management, this commission looks at cadastre systems, land registration and the effective management of land resources and property rights.

Commission 8 – Spatial Planning and Development: This commission examines spatial planning processes and the integration of geospatial data into urban and regional development. It addresses how spatial planning can support sustainable and efficient development.

Commission 9 – Valuation and the Management of Real Estate: Specialising in property valuation, this commission explores techniques for assessing land and real estate values, as well as the management practices that support effective property investment and utilisation.

Commission 10 – Construction Economics and Management: This commission focuses on the economic

aspects of construction projects, including cost management, economic impact assessments and the role of geospatial data in optimising construction processes. While the specific topics for each commission’s sessions will be announced closer to the event, you can look forward to discussions that highlight the latest innovations and address key challenges in these areas. I strongly encourage our local professionals to submit papers for presentation, showcasing the innovative work being done in Australia and sharing our unique perspectives with the international audience. As you can see from the above, the FIG definition of surveying is much broader than we understand it to be in Australia.

Why attend?

FIG Working Week combined with Locate represents more than just an educational experience, as it offers a rare opportunity to engage with the global geospatial community in a meaningful way. Whether you are looking to expand your knowledge, network with international peers or explore new business opportunities, this event has something for everyone. In addition to technical sessions and workshops, the event will provide numerous networking opportunities, from social tours to dedicated industry meet-ups. This is your chance to build relationships, exchange ideas and engage with experts from across the globe.

But it’s not just about learning — it’s also about contributing. With the event taking place in Brisbane, we are calling on our local community to get involved. We are currently looking for volunteers to join our sub-committees, which will play a critical role in organising various aspects of the conference. Whether you want to help plan technical sessions, coordinate social events or assist with logistics, there’s a role for you. Volunteering is a great way to get involved, connect with industry leaders, and contribute to the success of the event. If you would like to get involved, please scan the QR code and fill in the Volunteer Expression of Interest form.

As we count down to April 2025, I recommend getting involved and taking advantage of every opportunity to connect and contribute. This is an event you won’t want to miss — a chance to be part of both a national and international conversation that will shape the future of our industry. We look forward to seeing you there. n

Tony Wheeler CEO, Geospatial Council of Australia

Scan this QR code to access the Volunteer Expression of Interest form for FIG Working Week 2025 and Locate25.

State and Territory Chairs and Co-Chairs

NSW Chair

Brittany Baker

NSW Vice-Chair

Hanno Klahn

ACT Chair

Mike Stapleton

Queensland Chair

Cameron Brittain

Queensland Vice-Chair

Koray Ozdogu

South Australia Chair

Graham Walker

South Australia Vice-Chair

Jennifer Brindle

Tasmania Chair

Anthony O’Flaherty

Victoria Chair

Nicole Kiely

Western Australia Chair

Laren Collen

GDARS Chair

Dr Jagannath Aryal

Surveying Chair

Mike Stapleton

Hydrography Chair

Neil Hewitt

Young and Emerging Professionals Chair

Oscar So

A new era of standards

BY FRANCINE MILNE, PROGRAM LEAD

The National Engineering Surveying Certification v2.0 has been launched.

In the ever-evolving field of engineering surveying, professionals must constantly adapt to new challenges and standards. As the Program Lead for what was once known as the Engineering Surveying Professional – Australasia Pacific (ESP-AP) Certification, I am delighted to introduce the updated National Engineering Surveying Certification (v2.0), which launched at the end of September. This new iteration marks a significant shift in how we recognise and endorse engineering surveyors, reflecting both industry needs and modern demands.

The ESP-AP Certification has long been a symbol of excellence within the Australasian-Pacific region. For over a decade, it has served as a benchmark for competence in engineering surveying, providing professionals with a recognised credential that opens doors to numerous career opportunities. Whether working for government agencies, local authorities or private companies, ESP-AP certified surveyors have been trusted to deliver high-quality work, meeting rigorous industry standards.

However, as the industry has evolved, so too has the need for a more comprehensive certification framework. This led to a thorough review of the existing program by the Certification Committee, with input from industry stakeholders, to ensure it remains relevant and robust. The result is the newly branded National Engineering Surveying Certification, which introduces a range of enhancements designed to better meet the needs of both professionals and employers.

What’s new in v2.0?

The National Engineering Surveying Certification v2.0 introduces several key changes aimed at improving the certification process, enhancing its accessibility and aligning it more closely with industry requirements. Following are the most significant updates:

1. Updated eligibility criteria. One of the most notable changes in v2.0 is the revision of the eligibility criteria. The

minimum qualification requirement has been updated to an AQF 5 Diploma level. This ensures that candidates have a solid educational foundation in surveying, while also recognising the importance of handson experience.

Additionally, the work experience requirements have been adjusted to accommodate varying levels of qualification. For instance, those with a Diploma now need only five years of relevant experience, compared to the ten years previously required. This change makes the certification more accessible to professionals at different stages of their careers, without compromising the quality of the certification.

2. Introduction of a two-tier structure. The most transformative change in v2.0 is the move from a single certification model to a two-tier structure. This new structure offers:

• General Certification: This level covers the core skills and competencies required for all engineering surveyors. It ensures that all certified professionals possess a strong foundation in essential areas such as Data Management and Data Analysis, which have been newly introduced as mandatory categories.

• Specialist Certification: This level is designed for those who wish to demonstrate expertise in more complex and specialised areas of engineering surveying. Candidates can choose to apply for both General and Specialist Certification simultaneously or pursue the Specialist Certification after obtaining the General level.

This tiered approach allows for greater flexibility and ensures that the certification can cater to the diverse needs of the industry. By distinguishing between general and specialist competencies, the certification provides a clearer pathway for professionals to advance their careers and gain recognition for their expertise in specific areas.

3. Revised competency framework. Accompanying the new two-tier structure is a thoroughly revised and updated

Competency Framework. This framework now includes new mandatory categories for Data Management and Data Analysis, reflecting the growing importance of these skills in modern engineering surveying. Furthermore, the Competency Framework has been designed to be both comprehensive and adaptable, enabling candidates to demonstrate their proficiency across a range of categories. It has been peer-reviewed to ensure it meets national standards and regulatory requirements, making it a reliable benchmark for employers and clients alike.

4. Digitalised application process. To streamline the application process and make it more user-friendly, v2.0 introduces a digitalised application system. This includes updated forms and a more intuitive interface, making it easier for candidates to navigate the process. The new system also eliminates the previous points system, replacing it with a more straightforward and transparent assessment process.

5. Assessment interviews. To complement the Panel’s review process, v2.0 introduces assessment interviews. These interviews provide an opportunity for candidates to discuss their experience and skills in more detail, offering the Assessors a clearer understanding of their capabilities. This addition to the process ensures a more thorough evaluation of each candidate’s qualifications and areas of expertise.

6. New fee structure. The certification fees have also been revised to reflect the changes in the program. The fee for new applications is set at $480 for GCA members and $950 for non-members. For candidates seeking to add additional

Francine Milne

Specialist categories after obtaining their General Certification, a separate fee will be charged for each sub-category.

Value and benefits

The launch of v2.0 represents a significant step forward in the evolution of the National Engineering Surveying Certification. The changes introduced are designed to enhance the value of the certification for both individuals and organisations, ensuring it remains the gold standard in the industry.

The updated certification provides several key benefits for individual professionals:

• Career advancement: With the introduction of the Specialist Certification, professionals can now gain recognition for their expertise in specific areas, enhancing their career prospects and opening doors to new opportunities.

• Professional credibility: The rigorous assessment process and the inclusion of assessment interviews ensure that certified professionals are recognised for their skills and experience, boosting their credibility in the industry.

• Industry recognition: The certification continues to be a symbol of excellence, providing individuals with the recognition they need to stand out in a competitive job market.

• Government recognition and mandates: In addition to industry recognition, the certification has been mandated by key government agencies, ensuring that only certified professionals undertake critical engineering surveying tasks. Agencies such as the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Tasmanian Government, and Main Roads Western Australia, have integrated this certification into their project specifications. This mandate ensures that projects adhere to the highest standards of accuracy and professionalism, reinforcing the certification’s role as a benchmark in the industry.

Employers and clients also stand to benefit:

• Quality assurance: The revised Competency Framework and the introduction of assessment interviews provide a higher level of assurance that certified professionals possess the necessary skills and experience to perform their roles effectively.

• Efficiency in hiring: The new two-tier structure allows employers to quickly identify candidates with the specific skills they need, streamlining the hiring process and ensuring they find the right fit for their projects.

• Client confidence: The certification’s rigorous standards and the transparency

General Certification

Specialist Certification

"Those with a Diploma now need only five years of relevant experience, compared to the ten years previously required."

of the new application process instil confidence in clients, ensuring they can trust in the abilities of the professionals they hire.

The launch of the updated Certification is just the beginning. The Certification Committee and Working Group remain committed to continuous improvement, ensuring that the National Engineering Surveying Certification evolves alongside the industry. As part of this commitment, we will continue to seek feedback from stakeholders and make adjustments as needed to maintain the certification’s relevance and value.

The upcoming Specialist categories, for instance, will enable professionals to gain recognition for their expertise in even more specialised areas, further enhancing the certification’s value. Additionally, the new Accredited Engineering Surveyor Register will include details on the categories in which each candidate

has been assessed, providing greater transparency and making it easier for employers and clients to find the right professionals for their needs.

By introducing a two-tier structure, updating the Competency Framework, and digitalising the application process, we are ensuring that the certification remains at the forefront of industry standards. As we look to the future, we are excited to see how these changes will benefit both professionals and organisations, helping to drive the industry forward and maintain the high standards that have always been a hallmark of the certification.

For those looking to elevate their careers and gain recognition for their skills, there has never been a better time to pursue the National Engineering Surveying Certification. With the new version, the path to professional excellence is clearer, more accessible, and more rewarding than ever before. n

Collaboration, Innovation and Resilience

Championing a Digital Generation

Join us in Australia for FIG Working Week 2025, where you'll gain unparalleled access to the international surveying and geospatial community. This event o ers a platform to exchange experiences and stay at the forefront of the industry, covering topics such as innovation, resilience, and sustainability.

Why attend?

• Learn and share globally

• Network across related professions

• Make an impact on your career

• Enjoy undisturbed face-to-face time

Brisbane, Australia 6-10 April

TRIMBLE R980 GNSS SYSTEM

Elevate survey productivity with unmatched performance and Trimble trusted workflows. With a full suite of enhanced connectivity features, the Trimble ® R980 GNSS system sets a new benchmark in versatility and enables you to tackle the most demanding GNSS environments to get the job done.

geospatial.trimble.com/r980

© 2024, Trimble Inc. All rights reserved. GEO-235

Leica NOVA MS60 MultiStation

Take a step forward from classic detailing with a pole. With the new Leica Nova MS60 scanning speed of up to 30.000 points per second you will be able to deliver complex projects even before the deadline. Saving time means saving money. The quick distance and long-range reflectorless measurements, fast motorisation and reliable prism Search&Aim will help you additionally speed up your performance. Why not have it all?

Find out more: leica-geosystems.com/MS60