Virtual Australia: Developing an enabling platform to improve opportunities in the spatial information industry

Abstract

The role that the development of Spatial Data Infrastructure initiatives is playing within the modern world is changing. Initially SDIs were implemented as a mechanism to facilitate access and sharing of spatial data hosted in distributed GISs. Users however now require precise spatial information in real time about real world objects and the ability to develop and implement cross-jurisdictional and inter-agency solutions to priorities such as emergency management, natural resource management, water rights, and animal, pest and disease control. In order to achieve this, the concept of an SDI is moving to a new business paradigm, where SDI is emerging as a ‘virtual jurisdiction’ or ‘virtual e..