A new online forum has been launched to support users with the implementation of Australia’s new datum, GDA2020. The forum was established by the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping (ICSM) to serve as a place to discuss and share experiences, and find answers to questions relating to the datum modernisation.

The forum aims to include sector–specific assistance with technical aspects of the change, as well as help for spatial data novices in understanding how datums work.

The forum is moderated by members of the GDA Modernisation Implementation Working Group and other technical specialists from around Australia.

Sub–forums have been created to cater for questions relating to:

• tools, advice, and tips for converting spatial data
• the implementation or use of GDA2020 in specific software or hardware products (ESRI, Mapinfo, QGIS, GNSS, LIDAR and aerial imagery)
• implementation within specific states and territories, (moderated by GMIWG members from that jurisdiction)
• concerns or issues faced by specific industries, such as mapping and surveying, utilities, mining, agriculture, construction, transport, environmental management, emergency services and scientific research

Anyone can access the discussions taking place in the public online forum, and a simple registration is required to participate in discussions. Comprehensive information about the datum modernisation is also available on ICSM’s Frequently asked Questions page.

While there are few participants and discussions on the forum are only just beginning, some of the discussions provides hints as to what to expect over the coming months. One user, TasGeodesist, posted “For all you avid forum watchers expect an important information release about GDA2020 very soon.”