The spatial@gov 2010 conference, which concluded on Thursday, served to highlight the importance of the spatial industry to Australia’s economic and social well-being and progress.
The Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, Minister for Resources and Energy gave the opening speech in which he recognised the outstanding degree of collaboration that is a feature of the industry, and cited the Australian Hydrological Geospatial Fabric (Geofabric), in which the Bureau of Meteorology is building the Australian Water Resources Information System (AWRIS) to deliver high-quality water information, in partnership with Geoscience Australia, the Australian National University and CSIRO. The partnership provides a collaborative mechanism for obtaining foundation hydrological data, maintaining and upgrading these data and improving the product suite over time.
“It is this kind of collaboration that is driving the industry forward,” Minister Ferguson said.
Mr Ferguson also praised the large number of delegates and exhibitors attending: “The conference is an opportunity for industry to meet decision makers in government.”
Mr Ferguson concluded his speech with an observation of the spatial industry's role in Australia's social cohesion: "Decisions can be made based on need, with the use of spatial technologies, allowing social inclusion."
Another leading government figure, Warwick Watkins, AM, chief executive officer of the Land and Property Management Authority, surveyor general of NSW and registrar general of NSW, emphasised that: “The role of geo-spatial data in government planning and strategy is becoming increasingly critical – decision-makers at all levels need to be informed with the best available and most current information to deliver best outcomes and reduce costs in infrastructure delivery. Location-based, or geo-spatial analytics is driving that forward.”
Conference statistics
The three-day event, held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, was attended by over 475 delegates. 39 companies filled the exhibition section of the event, and 17 sponsors helped make it possible. Over 500 attended the gala dinner, which featured the presentation of the Asia Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards. Delegates had a choice of some 68 presentations to attend during the conference.
Mark the date: spatial@gov 2011 will be held on 15-17 November 2011 at the National Convention Centre, Canberra.
