Spatial technology for the Victorian State of the Environment

Stocktake and capability analysis of spatial information technology and data coordination for State of the Environment reporting

The Challenge

The Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability (CES) conduct statutory, scientific environmental condition reporting on the state of Victoria’s environment to enable practical action. The State of the Environment (SoE) 2018 Report made the following recommendation which was supported in principle by the Victorian Government: That DELWP develop its spatial information capability and database, and ensure it is regularly and routinely updated, to inform decision-making across the environment portfolio.

This project will focus on marine and coastal applications of spatial information technology to inform the State of the Marine and Coastal Environment (SMCE) reporting in 2021 and deliver a review of current, emerging and future spatial technologies and datasets aligned to SMCE reporting, enabling a strategic response to, and implementation of the recommendation.

Partners

This project is being conducted in collaboration with the Victorian Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability (CES).

The Solution

The review of spatial information technology and datasets provided a stocktake (what is Victoria’s current capability and capacity) and, critically, included commentary on emerging technology and applications and the opportunities on the horizon for the Victorian Government to be a future leader in geospatial information and an early adopter of geospatial technologies.

The project produced:

  1. Spatial Technologies Report
    1. Understanding – the current and future elements of SMCE reporting via a workshop with CES.
    2. Reviewing – current, emerging and future spatial technologies and datasets aligned to SMCE reporting via desktop analysis and environmental scans.
    3. Discussion – to validate the review stage via interviews/workshop with technology experts.
    4. Reporting – written assessment of the current, emerging and future spatial technologies available for better understanding, managing and predicting the future needs of Victoria’s marine and coastal environments.
  2. Report Card
    1. Summarising the results of the spatial technologies report in a 2 page report card format.
Impact

This project is the first step in the CES establishing a spatial plan and/or investment roadmap for ecologically sustainable development in Victoria. The recommendations made will ultimately inform medium- and longer-term investments in Victoria, further enhance decision making supporting ecologically sustainable development, improve environmental management in Victoria and improve future CES recommendations to government.

Contact

To learn more, please contact us at  contact@frontiersi.com.au.