SpatialNews Press Release

New Spatial Information CRC a major boost for nation

www.ga.gov.au

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Warren Entsch, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, has warmly welcomed the establishment of a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Spatial Information, announced on 10 December by the Minister for Education, Science and Training Dr Brendan Nelson. "Today's decision to commit $13.3 million to establish this CRC is a clear and strong reflection of the Australian Government's support for spatial information industry," said Mr Entsch in his Media Release dated 10 December 2002.

"Australia's spatial information industry is an unheralded, but vital link in making informed decisions on a wide range of key economic, environmental and social issues.

"Dr Nelson is to be congratulated for recognising that spatial information underpins many of the Government's policy priorities including national security, public safety, environmental sustainability, and regional development," Mr Entsch said.

Mr Entsch said the CRC for Spatial Information would deliver the capability to manage and use spatial information in a totally new way. Its central goal is to facilitate the exchange and use of spatial information to promote better governance, environmental management and enhanced commercial opportunities for Australian businesses both at home and internationally.

The strong partnership between academia, industry and government in the CRC for Spatial Information will ensure that these research programs deliver focused and practical outcomes; while the increased number of highly qualified graduates, funded through the CRC process, will contribute to the next generation of leaders in these sectors.

Commonwealth government participation in the CRC will be through Geoscience Australia and the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation (DIGO). The core private sector participation comprises a consortium of 41 small to medium enterprises (SMEs), which has been facilitated by the Australian Spatial Information Business Association (ASIBA).

Core academic sector participants in the CRC are three of the principal centres for spatial information education and research in Australia: The University of Melbourne, Department of Geomatics; The University of New South Wales, School of Surveying and Spatial Information Systems; and Curtin University of Technology, School of Spatial Sciences.

State government participation in the development of the CRC was facilitated by ANZLIC, the peak council for public sector spatial information management. The NSW Department of Information Technology and Management, the Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and the WA Departments of Land Administration, and Agriculture, are core participants.

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