Australia is expected to derive $689 billion worth of economic value over the next decade as a result of geospatial technologies and services, a new report has found.

Published late last year by the Geospatial Council of Australia, the Economic Impact of Geospatial Services in Australia report analysed the effect of geospatial technologies and services in terms of the nation’s overall economic performance. It was prepared by research firm ACIL Allen.

According to the report, the value of the geospatial services sector should not be underestimated.

Over the ten years to 2033/34, geospatial technologies and services are expected to generate an additional $689 billion in economic activity as compared to what would be the case if such technologies did not exist or were not employed.

This will occur as the sector’s annual economic contribution increases from $39 billion in 2023/24 to $90 billion by 2033/34.

Over that period, the sector’s contribution to employment is expected to increase 12,000 full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions in 2023/24 to 33,000 FTE positions by 2033/34.

Benefits are spread across a range of sectors. These include mining, government services, construction, manufacturing, finance and insurance, agriculture, forestry and fishing, transport and utilities.

Broadly speaking, geospatial services and technologies refer to a set of tools, techniques, and technologies that capture, analyse, interpret and visualise spatial or geographic data.

These enable us to create maps, analyse patterns and make informed decisions based on the geographic context of the data.

Examples include:

  • Remote sensing technologies, including:
    • Earth observations from space, which can be used to capture and evaluate the condition of parcels of land, extent of land coverage, water resources, crops, sea temperature or degree of human development.
    • Airbourne imagery to capture high resolution images of the earth via digital cameras from platforms such as airplanes, helicopters or drones as well as LIDAR sensors which record precise distances and are used to generate very high-resolution 3D digital elevation models (or digital surfaces) which can be used for terrain modelling for applications such as flooding exposure, landform analysis, infrastructure planning and asset maintenance analysis.
    • Terrestrial data capture, which can involve use of imagery and LIDAR, sensors mounted on vehicles or sensors carried manually to record 3D imagery of the built and natural environment as well as the interior or exterior of buildings. This can be used to capture large amount of asset condition data and can be employed within many applications such as analysing maintenance needs for highways and bridges.
  • Position navigation and timing systems. These include global navigation systems that use a space-based system of satellites that provide position, navigation and riming services on a global scale.
  • Seabed mapping, which involves the collection and analysis of information on and below the ocean floor to inform sustainable management and use.
  • Geospatial information systems and services such as the mapping data which is contained in mobile phones and devices.
  • Sensors, control systems, automation and artificial intelligence technologies which create opportunities for autonomous operation (such as autonomous mining and agricultural machinery or autonomous driving systems) in areas which previously required human intervention.

(A tool known as kurlo uses global navigational satellite sensors, cloud computing and processing capabilities to provide an early warning system for land movement and ground displacement. This has been used by Queensland Rail to monitor the risk to their railway network in terms of long-term slope stability. Using this information, the organisation has put in place maintenance and disaster response programs to ensure ongoing safe network operation. The tool was also used by the Port of Brisbane to better understand settlement which occurred during and after construction and to optimise the port’s design and development.)

As mentioned above, uses spread across various sectors.

In design, planning and construction, for example, geospatial information services play a role in surveying, route selection and construction planning, building design, set out, compliance monitoring and asset maintenance.

In building design, for example, a geospatially enabled tool known as eComply developed by Digital Twin Victoria in conjunction with the Victorian building industry and start-up community enables architects, builders and developers to pre-check 3D building designs against selected planning codes in Victoria. The first solution – which has been co-developed by Digital Twin Victoria in conjunction with proptech start-up Archistar – assesses building designs against the state’s Small Lot Housing Code. The tool is able to provide feedback on more than 90 complex checks in around 90 seconds. It can help to save up to four weeks off approval processes by enabling builders and architects to rapidly make changes prior to submitting plans for approval.

In the infrastructure space, another tool known as kurlo uses global navigational satellite sensors, cloud computing and processing capabilities to provide an early warning system for land movement and ground displacement.

This has been used by Queensland Rail to monitor the risk to their railway network in terms of long-term slope stability. Using this information, the organisation has put in place maintenance and disaster response programs to ensure ongoing safe network operation.

The tool was also used by the Port of Brisbane to better understand settlement which occurred during and after construction and to optimise the port’s design and development.

Turning to government services, meanwhile, geospatial technologies are playing a critical role in functions such as emergency services, planning and development, climate change planning and mitigation and defence.

In emergency services, a project being undertaken by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services in conjunction with the Insurance Council of Australia, Geoscience Australia, the University of Queensland and James Cook University, IAG, Suncorp and Core Logic used geospatial information and systems among other things to examine Southeast Queensland’s vulnerability to severe winds.

The project will guide retrofit improvements to certain home types to reduce potential damage by severe winds. It includes a determination of regions and house types that would be most cost effective to retrofit.

In planning meanwhile, the PlanSA online planning and development systems uses geospatially enabled tools for developers and the public to monitor developments and to clearly define zoning boundaries and conditions. This enables residents and the community to more readily identify development applications within their local government area on which they may wish to provide feedback. It also enables developers to more easily understand zoning boundaries and particular conditions which may apply within these.

To maximise the benefit of geospatial systems, the report calls for action across several areas.

These include development of digital and data frameworks which include geospatial technologies, stronger links with adjacent parts of the economic ecosystem, supporting enabling technologies and systems, more research and development and greater workforce development with geospatial skills.

Geospatial Sciences of Australia CEO Tony Wheler said the report highlighted the need for action to maximise the value of geospatial services across the economy.

“The projected $689 billion cumulative gain by 2034 reinforces the urgent need for improved policy settings to drive investment and uptake in geospatial technology,” Wheeler said.

“It presents an exciting opportunity for Australian businesses and innovators to power growth, productivity, and turbocharge most industries across the Australian economy.”

The report was presented last October to Geoscience Australia CEO Dr James Johnson, who received the report on behalf of the Federal Government.

 

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