Virtual Australia: Developing an enabling platform to improve opportunities in the spatial information industry

Abstract

The role that the development of Spatial Data Infrastructure initiatives is playing within the modern world is changing. Initially SDIs were implemented as a mechanism to facilitate access and sharing of spatial data hosted in distributed GISs. Users however now require precise spatial information in real time about real world objects and the ability to develop and implement cross‐jurisdictional and inter‐agency solutions to priorities such as emergency management, natural resource management, water rights, and animal, pest and disease control. In order to achieve this, the concept of an SDI is moving to a new business paradigm, where SDI is emerging as a ‘virtual jurisdiction’ or ‘virtual enterprise’ to promote the partnership of spatial information organizations (public/private) to provide access to a wider scope of data and services, of size and complexity that is beyond their individual capacity. The development of such an SDI requires an enabling platform to support the chaining of services across participating organisations. This paper outlines the outcomes of research on the development of such an enabling platform within the context of a Virtual Australia. This includes a review of the spatial information and SDI developments in selected Australian states (Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales) and international (Europe, Canada and USA) jurisdictions, which are helping to move the concept of an enabling platform forward, the improving opportunities for the spatial information industry through the development of an enabling platform, concepts and principles to aid in facilitating a Virtual Australia, and recommendations for the future.