Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Yevhen

Over the past few months, SSSI and SIBA|GITA have continued discussions about the potential for merging both organisations.

Both Boards have met independently as well as jointly to ensure each party’s values are aligned and their priorities are compatible.

In an announcement made on 15 February, the parties said that “Both Boards believe merging SSSI and SIBA|GITA is an effective strategy for organisational growth, gaining scale efficiencies and enhancing services and reach for the spatial and surveying related sectors across Australia.”

SSSI and SIBA|GITA members are invited to attend an online Merger Consultation session from 12:00 noon to 1:00pm AEDT on Thursday, 24 February 2022. Registration is essential.

The main considerations of the proposed merger are:

• How can the parties provide the best value to their members and the greater geospatial sector?
• How can they, as the representative groups for individuals and companies, most effectively champion change?
• How can they reform within our industry which is undergoing rapid growth and advancing technology?

“There is an opportunity to merge SSSI and SIBA|GITA and form a new peak body to represent the current and emerging interests of professionals and the industry by drawing on decades of experience, good will and initiatives that support the sector and its professionals to capitalise on opportunities that are surfacing,” the announcement said.

“Based on the outcomes of discussions held, a resolution was recently passed by both Boards independently which sees both organisations proceed with the merger subject to completing the investigation and due diligence (with independent assessment of both entities simultaneously), the development of a communications and engagement plan, governance and operational structures, a value based membership fee model, other income streams and the development of a Business Plan and Transition Plan.”

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