New technology for geographic data management
From the Spring/Summer 2009 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
The new Forests NSW GIS system displays the distribution of a major NSW timber species, coastal blackbutt. Image by Rob Kirwood
Forests NSW has rolled out a new geographic information system (GIS), with a range of benefits from corporate reporting to operational management.
The new system will be updated in real time across the organisation - corporately and at operations centres for both planted forests and native forests management.
This will mean Forests NSW has a better corporate reporting tool as well as the operating divisions having access to the same data sets, said Forests NSW GIS team leader, Rob Kirwood.
It will also provide Forests NSW with the means to merge information across state enterprises.
We need to share information, particularly with other NSW Department of Industry and Investment operational areas, other state land managers such as the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, and agency partners such as the Rural Fire Service.
This new updated system took three years in the making on ARC GIS software, the industry standard, Rob said. Any edits to the system are viewable immediately by all users so the whole organisation is operating on the latest known data.
The first stage includes a customised GIS interface (ISIS) to simplify the routine mapping and data entry components of planted forests, and because it is integrated with the corporate system there will not be any duplicate data entry.
Forests NSW GIS system is managed in three centres located in Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Bathurst.
Howard Spencer Public Affairs & Media, Coffs Harbour
