Australia’s national seabed mapping initiative has been recognised for outstanding national collaboration at the 2026 IPAA ACT Spirit of Service Awards.
The AusSeabed initiative has received the Kerry Kennedy Award at the 2026 IPAA ACT Spirit of Service Awards.
The Kerry Kennedy Award champions initiatives led by smaller organisations, particularly those demonstrating excellence through collaboration, innovation and effective use of resources.
AusSeabed is a collaborative effort across government, research and industry to revolutionise how Australia collects, shares and uses trusted seabed mapping information.
Led by Geoscience Australia in partnership with CSIRO, the Australian Hydrographic Office, the Australian Antarctic Division and the Australian Institute of Marine Science, AusSeabed has built a coordinated national approach to seabed mapping.
The work benefits marine management, maritime safety, and offshore energy and infrastructure, while contributing to the sustainable development of Australia’s ‘blue economy’.
“I’m incredibly proud to see AusSeabed recognised with the Kerry Kennedy Award,’ said Geoscience Australia’s CEO, Melissa Harris.
“This award reflects the extraordinary commitment of our people and partners, who have worked together to build a nationally significant resource that is delivering real benefits for Australia.
“AusSeabed demonstrates the impact that a relatively small organisation can achieve by bringing people, expertise and resources together around a shared national purpose.”
A new future for AusSeaBed
As Spatial Source reported last month, a major review into AusSeaBed recommended that it be formally integrated within Geoscience Australia.
That recommendation followed a review into the project, conducted by marine scientist and marine sector leader, Dr Tony Worby. The review found that the project — formerly conducted as a collaborative effort between many parties — should become more formalised and strengthened by being incorporated into Geoscience Australia.
“In practice, it now functions as national research and data infrastructure relied upon by multiple Commonwealth portfolios, state and territory governments, research institutions, industry, and Australia’s international commitments,” the review said.
“However, AusSeabed’s current funding and governance arrangements have not kept pace with this evolution.”
Dr Worby’s review made 14 key findings:
- AusSeaBed has evolved into nationally critical data infrastructure;
- It delivers value far exceeding its current funding envelope;
- It occupies a unique and non-redundant position in the national marine data ecosystem;
- It delivers material, cross-portfolio value to Australian government functions;
- Fragmented institutional responsibility for Australia’s marine domain creates a persistent coordination gap;
- It faces increasing expectations without a corresponding mandate;
- The Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity (RAP) initiative introduces a structural alignment issue between AusSeabed and Geoscience Australia’s funded marine obligations;
- Geoscience Australia’s evolving marine role presents an opportunity to clarify and strengthen institutional ownership;
- Its effectiveness depends on sustained contributions from core delivery partners; and
- Its current funding and governance arrangements are no longer fit-for-purpose.
The AusSeabed Executive Board accepted all recommendations contained in the report and the five government partners — Geoscience Australia, Australian Hydrographic Office, CSIRO Marine National Facility, Australian Antarctic Division and the Australian Institute of Marine Science — endorsed the proposal for the formal integration of AusSeabed within Geoscience Australia, together with the development of a new governance framework.
Related reading:
AusSeaBed’s future lies within Geoscience Australia
Major update for Australia’s vast seabed map
