EDITION 5 JUNE 2012

Online ISSN:1837-994X locationmatters A point of reference for Tasmanian land information

locationmatters A point of reference for Tasmanian land information

THIS ISSUE Aerial Photography Spatial Information Foundations Project Tourist Route Codes Archiving Project

Information and Land Services Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment The new edition of Nugent 1:100 000 Series map - available for purchase from Service shops, TASMAP resellers and agents, and online at www.tasmap.tas.gov.au

This newsletter is designed, written, edited and produced by the Information and Land Services Division of the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Message from Water and Environment (DPIPWE). This newsletter aims to provide technical specialists and the general public with Kate Kent... interesting articles and news about land forestry and natural resource management information in Tasmania. The to planning, surveying and property We encourage you to provide feedback or spatial development. More and more users are ideas for future issues and hope you take information industry increasingly demanding a greater variety of advantage of this opportunity to keep in has changed spatially-enabled information that is easy to touch. Comments can be emailed to significantly over the find and easy to use. [email protected] last twenty years. A critical element of planning and An electronic version of this publication The advent and implementation of the Spatial Information can be found at: wide appeal of technologies such as Foundations Project has been close www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/locationmatters Google Earth, in-car satellite navigation and collaboration with current and potential hand-held GPS devices have brought the users across all these industries, to help © Copyright State of Tasmania, 2012 use of location-based information to the determine the type of tools that will fore, bringing with it higher community encourage more widespread, more expectations for more accessible, more effective use of spatial information. accurate government data. I hope you enjoy this edition of CONTENTS At the same time, governments worldwide locationmatters and encourage you to have discovered that investment in spatial continue to provide feedback and ideas for The end of an era 3 information is delivering exceptional future issues. Technological transformation for returns back to the community through the LIST 4 more informed decision-making and more Kate Kent targeted, more effective service delivery. Healthy data, happy tourists 6 General Manager Information and Land Services Division Archiving project 7 Government agencies are frequently asked for quick responses to natural disasters, News in brief 8 environmental crises and security alerts, with decisions that are cost-effective and Cover image efficient. Most of the information needed Aerial photo of Pedra Branca, a small rugged for those decisions is linked to a location. Have your say… island 26 km south of Tasmania, taken at a height of 12 000 feet as part of the Not long after the LIST (Land Information locationmatters aims Tasmanian coastline replot (see article on aerial System Tasmania) was developed in the is to keep clients and members of photography, page 3). 1990s, it had around 140 subscribers, the community informed about new mostly accessing a combination of developments and progress with existing land titles, property reports and other projects, as well as introduce you to staff information about property transactions. and the work they do. Today, the LIST has 2791 individual user Please take a few minutes to tell us logins, around 800 subscriber accounts, what you think by completing the short and more than 800 datasets available to questionnaire at users across industries ranging from mining, www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/locationmatters. Your feedback will help to ensure that we can continue to provide you with timely, This publication has been printed on Revive Pure Silk, relevant information in the most cost- which is 100% recycled and is certified carbon neutral. effective format. It is manufactured process chlorine free (PCF) by an ISO 14001 certified mill. 3

The end of an era for film-based aerial photography

The closure of the Between 1945 and 1947, Adastra Aerial the Territorial Sea Baseline. Surveys undertook the first complete Tasmanian Government’s film-based aerial To preserve these and other invaluable aerial survey of Tasmania, under contract photography program might represent the records collected over more than seventy to the (former) Lands and Surveys end of an era, but it is also an important years, ILS is currently undertaking a Department. This photography forms a step towards the future – in more ways project for the high resolution scanning valuable historical baseline for the many than one. of the existing library of over 240,000 subsequent years of imagery capture. With rapid advances in digital technology frames of aerial photography. The project and a greater variety of options for Around 1960, the Department purchased includes compilation of a database that remotely sensed imagery becoming its first aerial film camera, with an aircraft will store technical details of each frame available, aerial film cameras have become and pilot contracted to carry out the of photography, as well as the coordinate obsolete. Users have also become more annual aerial survey program. Since that centroid of each photo centre. An online sophisticated, with more specific business time, thousands of frames of photography enquiry system is also being developed. requirements. have been captured each year. This will allow for easy searching, viewing and ordering of scanned images. Despite the move away from film, the In 1972, the Government invested around Information and Land Services Division’s $200,000 in two Zeiss RMK cameras As we navigate towards the best path (ILS) extensive library of aerial imagery and associated equipment – a significant for the future, an independent consultant has become increasingly important, investment at that time in what was has been engaged through the Spatial especially when assessing changes in our then considered to be the most precise Information Foundations (SIF) project to environment over time. equipment available. undertake a review of the current and projected remotely sensed imagery needs The 2011-2012 aerial survey flying of government users in Tasmania. The In 1945, Tasmania’s first season ended with a landmark finale results of this work will be used to help aerial survey program began for film-based aerial photography, with develop options and recommendations the successful completion of a two-year capturing aerial photography for a vibrant new era of remotely sensed program to capture photography of imagery acquisition in Tasmania. on film, to assist with the the entire Tasmanian coastline, including Government’s mapping offshore rocks and islands. This will enable Andrew Tomes programs and meet the the coastline to be stereoscopically re- Manager, Spatial Data needs of other organisations. plotted at a higher accuracy, supporting the work of Geoscience in redefining

Left: Airlines of Tasmania’s Piper Navajo aircraft chartered by the Department for aerial survey work in Tasmania. Photographed at its base at Cambridge Airport. Bottom left: One of the early flight line plans, mapping the runs and photo centres, which are now being digitally captured as an index to the aerial photography library. Below: The Department’s Zeiss RMK aerial photography film camera fitted inside the aircraft. 4 Technological transformation for

The Spatial • A web-based emergency services A strong foundation to deliver Common Operating Picture for better services Information Tasmania – providing emergency More effective use of spatial information Foundations management organisations with an provides the foundation for widespread project is transforming the LIST authoritative, shared view of critical benefits across government and private into a contemporary, web-based platform emergency and incident information business, industry and academia. The for the management and distribution of • A new Tasmanian property boundary combination of administrative and location- spatial (location-based) information. database (numeric cadastre) – an based data can powerfully depict and For business, industry and the Tasmanian enhanced cadastral database that is predict events, graphically illustrate what’s public, the project will provide more easier to maintain and can be aligned happening, how, why and where, and efficient tools and better services for the with core administrative data such as show the actual and potential impact of future. planning zones an event on people, infrastructure and the • A sustainable strategy for the ongoing environment at that location. For government, this improved acquisition and delivery of remotely infrastructure will deliver significant Improvements in the LIST infrastructure sensed imagery for Tasmania – benefits, supporting major initiatives and will help the Tasmanian Government allowing the detection of changes in improving the quality and timeliness of deliver more efficient, cost-effective and the natural and built environment over policies and decisions, especially in the targeted services to the right people, in the time areas of planning, economic development right place, at the right time. and emergency management. • Saving lives and minimising the impact Responding to the needs of the of emergency situations – by knowing community Investment where it’s needed who and what is at risk. most The impetus for Spatial Information • Implementing the best options for Foundations (SIF) came from the regional planning and sustainable • A new web interface for the LIST – Tasmanian Government’s recognition of infrastructure development – by for better access to a wider range of the ever-increasing dependence on spatial identifying the location and capacity of spatial information information across all sectors of the existing services, facilities and natural • A web-based spatial data and services community, and acknowledgement that the assets, and aligning future development directory – making it easier to find existing LIST infrastructure was unable to with projected needs. spatial data and services for use, meet this escalating demand. • Achieving optimal health care analysis and reuse by more users outcomes – by seeing where the sick • High speed image servers – for rapid In 2011, the use and reuse or disadvantaged members of the delivery of remotely sensed imagery of spatial information is community live and knowing where to through a new interface to LISTmap estimated to have added locate hospitals, community facilities and web services over $100 million to the and mental health centres. • A data management and delivery Tasmanian economy1 • Meeting the educational needs of system – providing new web-based families – by knowing where the capabilities for the visualisation and Through extensive consultation with population is growing or declining, and spatial integration of a diverse range of a broad range of public and private matching that information with the information users and information providers, the location of educational services and • An address validation service – for Government identified the most urgent facilities such as public transport and automatic verification and more priorities and provided funding of $2.986 child care centres. efficient management of address million for a two-year infrastructure project information within government to transform the LIST and deliver an agencies integrated range of ‘easy to find, easy to use’ spatially-enabled data and services. • A web-based spatial data delivery service – providing new capabilities for Preliminary work on the project downloading and delivering spatial data commenced in December 2011, with completion scheduled for 30 June 2013.

1 ACIL Tasman, 2011 The Value of Spatial Information for Tasmania http://www.tassic.org.au/tassic.nsf/file/C58CEF5176F06ACFCA25794F000E1B8A/$file/TheValueofSpatialInformationforTasmania.pdf 5

Collaborative project guidance Coordinated approach to development and specialist expertise SIF is a complex project that is being implemented through seven parallel and inter- A multiple-agency steering committee dependent sub-projects, each with a dedicated manager. Four of these sub-projects (1-4 has been established to guide and below) constitute a complete transformation of the LIST technological framework. oversee the project. Chaired by DPIPWE Deputy Secretary, John Whittington, the 1 Services implementation of new web services for the delivery of spatial data from steering committee includes high level distributed sources, including address validation services representatives from key contributing 2 Mapping development of a modern web mapping interface for the visualisation, analysis agencies across the Tasmanian and future integration of an increased range of spatially-enabled information Government: 3 Access development of a structured framework of security and access control to • Department of Premier and Cabinet services for viewing and downloading spatial data • Department of Economic 4 Directory delivery of a contemporary, web-based data and services directory that Development, Tourism & the Arts encourages the discovery, access and use of available spatial resources • Department of Infrastructure, Energy 5 COP development of a web-based, Common Operating Picture of shared emergency & Resources services information for operational planning and incident management • Department of Police & Emergency 6 Cadastre migration to an upgraded property boundary database (numeric cadastre) Management capable of supporting spatially-enabled planning information • Department of Justice. 7 Imagery development of a sustainable strategy for the ongoing acquisition and efficient delivery of remotely sensed imagery. A government-wide reference group is contributing technical advice and an important end-user perspective for the development and implementation of project outputs. Cross-industry liaison has also been ACCESS established with related governance bodies including the Tasmanian Government’s Agency ICT Reference Group, Tasmanian APPLICATION TIER Spatial Information Council (TASSIC), Tasmanian Government Spatial Committee (TGSC) and the Security and Emergency Management Advisory Group (SEMAG). LIST web page content The project team draws together key COP personnel from the Information and Land Titles & Data Mapping property Directory Services Division of DPIPWE, reflecting information download a high level of spatial knowledge and expertise, as well as administrative, project and quality management experience. Each team member has been appointed to SERVICES TIER deliver and manage product development within their areas of expertise. Team members are Stuart Fletcher, Andrew Tomes, Aaron Cashion and Todd Baker. Michael Harding is the Project DATA TIER Manager, assisted by Caroline Palfreyman.

More information Emergency Additional information on SIF and the services Other Imagery Cadastre data seven inter-dependent sub-projects is data feeds available on the DPIPWE website at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sif. Regular updates on progress will be issued throughout the duration of the project. If you would like to be added to a distribution list to receive this information, Conceptual representation of the relationship between SIF sub-projects. please email [email protected]. Technical enquiries may be directed to Michael Harding (03) 6233 3223. For general enquiries, contact Caroline Palfreyman (03) 6216 4476. 6

Healthy data, happy tourists maintaining Tasmania’s tourist route codes

If Dr Peter Renshaw Unlike other States, where route coded Due to the diversity of road ownership in could be described as a man on a mission, roads are typically state-owned, the roads Tasmania’s tourist route network, there can his mission statement would almost that make up Tasmania’s tourist route also be inconsistencies in the placement, certainly demonstrate his unswerving network are owned and maintained design and information provided by personal dedication to the maintenance of by a range of authorities, including the route code signage. Peter has identified Tasmania’s network of tourist route codes. Department of Infrastructure, Energy and numerous problems in all these areas, Resources (DIER), local government, Hydro including one instance where signage had From his home in the Launceston suburb Tasmania, Forestry Tasmania and the Parks been left in place for decades after that of Riverside, Peter has voluntarily logged and Wildlife Service. particular route was withdrawn from up countless hours behind the wheel of the network. While DIER sets out the his car, scrutinising and photographing the Central to the Tasmanian network is standards for sign placement, design and State’s on-ground route code signage and National 1 (, content, the implementation of those notifying the relevant authorities when he Midland Highway and Bass Highway standards is not always consistent. believes the system is at fault. to Burnie), with a host of other roads classified as A, B or C, for example Peter’s direct style continues to raise Tasmania was the first A2 (Bass Highway from Burnie to awareness of the issues involved in Australian State to introduce Marrawah), B68 () and maintaining this valuable network. His C616 (Pinnacle Road to the top of Mt passion for the task that he has set himself the current tourist route Wellington). cannot be doubted, and it provides both code scheme, which was DPIPWE and the motoring public with an Through staff in the Geodata Services invaluable service. established in the early Branch, the Department of Primary 1980’s under the auspices of Industries, Parks, Water & Environment Many of Peter’s photos can be viewed on the former Department of maintains a register of route code the Ozroads website that is maintained Main Roads. descriptions and, importantly, the route by his mainland colleague, Sam Laybutt code attribute (Tour_class) on the LIST (http://www.ozroads.com.au/). The Transport dataset. website holds a truly amazing collection of road information, including historical Keeping that information in sync with the and legislative references, statistics and - of on-ground signage provided for use by Above: Sign with non-standard design and incorrect course - photographs. information. the motoring public is critical and – thanks Below: Spelling mistakes do occur. to Peter Renshaw’s diligence – a number Bottom: Route codes . . . what route codes? Greg Baxter Below Right: Dr. Peter Renshaw of changes have been made to correct Senior Land Information Officer Photos by P. Renshaw and S. Laybutt. anomalies in the data. 7 Find what you need! Archiving project Land information preserving the past for the future online

A fascinating Tasphoto Services’ extensive photographic library – a collection of slides depicting into the early years insight events, places and people in public life – is of Tasmania’s colonial history is being also being cleaned, re-sleeved, scanned and systematically captured and preserved catalogued. for use by future generations through a comprehensive project undertaken by the One of the more exciting project activities Information and Land Services Division of has been georeferencing a number of old DPIPWE. working charts that show the history of land grants in Tasmania. When viewed began its early life as a penal in combination with the latest aerial colony in 1803, making it the second oldest photography and property boundary city in Australia, after Sydney. This colourful information, these charts provide a history shaped the nature of many heritage fascinating link from the past to the places and precincts – penal, industrial, present. residential, rural and recreational. Reproductions of a selection of early 19th Around 1810, the first of a number of century plans and charts may be ordered surveys of land were undertaken, with www.thelist.tas.gov.au for purchase at www.tasmap.tas.gov.au. early plans generally showing the position Printed on high quality paper, the prints are of residences, government buildings, suitable for laminating or framing. vegetation, streets and waterways. Plans were registered with the Lands Archiving progress to date Department (now part of DPIPWE), • Aerial (archival) photos: 39,423 photos where they have been held ever since. scanned, indexed and stored In 2008, an archiving project was initiated, • Land Titles Office plans/documents:62,151 Client Services contact details initially focusing on the preservation of this plan images scanned, 54,004 survey note images scanned Normal operating hours for all client collection of historically significant plans enquiries are of survey. Over the last four years, staff • Valuation records: 2,831 roll books scanned, working on the project have been actively 763,681 images captured 9.00am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday engaged in work to scan, preserve and • Tasphoto records: 65,000 colour provide access to the scanned documents. transparencies identified for archiving, LIST Helpdesk Along with the capture of Crown plans, 9,200 cleaned, 60,579 re-sleeved, 700 E-mail [email protected] deeds, land titles and other historical transparencies scanned, 4,000 image files Phone (03) 6233 2465 documents, the project includes a embedded with searchable metadata complementary program of work to scan Fax (03) 6233 6568 • Central Plan Office historic flat and roll the Tasmanian Government’s extensive plans: 4,424 historic and survey plans Web via the client request form aerial survey image library. scanned (subscribers only) • Historic and working plans: 612 plans spatially georeferenced TASMAP Distribution Centre E-mail [email protected] Phone (03) 6233 6039 Robert Higgins Fax (03) 6233 6568 Manager, Archiving Project Order online at www.tasmap.tas.gov.au

Spatial Data / Agreements / Copyright Email [email protected] Phone (03) 6233 6039 Left: ‘Buckingham 14’ is one of a set of original plans to be transferred to the Tasmanian Archives Office in July Fax (03) 6233 6568 2012. This plan depicts in great detail the boundary, house, garden and ‘meadows’ of a large property in New Town (circa 1823). 8

News in brief...

Above: detail of the new Tasman National Park Map. Tasmania Land Tenure Map Commemorating 150 years of the Torrens title system TASMAP has produced a new, limited edition 1:500 000 land tenure map that This year, Tasmania celebrates 150 years of depicts private land ownership and Crown the Torrens system of land title registration. New TASMAP products land reserves (by category) in Tasmania. To mark the anniversary, the Land Recently released map products are now This map is only available for purchase Titles Office produced a limited edition available for purchase online at through the TASMAP website commemorative title for land titles issued in www.tasmap.tas.gov.au or from Service www.tasmap.tas.gov.au. January and February 2012. Tasmania shops, TASMAP resellers and agents. Price: $14.95 (including GST) The Torrens system was introduced in 1862 to simplify proof of ownership and 1:25 000 Topographic/ property transactions in Tasmania. TASMAP forward program Cadastral Maps Before Torrens, property owners needed The forward program for map revision • Binalong to prove their ownership of a particular in the TASMAP 1:25 000 and 1:100 000 • Burgess piece of land through documentation topographic series is available on the • Crossing going back to the earliest grant by the TASMAP website. The program shows • Mella Crown to the very first owner. All the maps scheduled for revision over the • Recherche documents relating to transactions with next 12 months, as well as estimated the land were collectively known as the completion dates. More information can be ‘title deeds’ or ‘chain of title’. Multiple found at www.tasmap.tas.gov.au. 1:100 000 Topographic Maps changes in the land’s ownership could have occurred over many years since the initial • Nugent Historic map for Premier’s office grant. Each transaction would add to the collection of all the previous deeds for the Earlier this year, staff from the Information land. With this complex and cumbersome National Park and and Land Services Division of DPIPWE system, a person’s ownership could Day Walk Maps presented the office of Premier Lara also be challenged, potentially hindering • Tasman NP Giddings with a print of an historic plan development and causing great legal depicting Parliament House or ‘Customs expense to land owners. House’ as it was known at that time. With the introduction of the Torrens Other Maps The original 1840 plan is being preserved system, a land registry was established in • Visitors Map as part of the archiving project (see article Tasmania. A single Certificate of Title was • Tasmania Land Tenure on page 7). created for each piece of land, with records Map retained by the Government in the Land Titles Office. Now used throughout Australia and around the world, the Torrens system More details about recent releases can be was formulated by colonial Premier of found at www.tasmap.tas.gov.au , Sir Robert Torrens, and introduced in South Australia in 1858. The system spread slowly throughout Australia and, much later, overseas. All Australian States now have a land registry or land ILS General Manager Kate Kent, Robert Higgins titles office and use the term ‘Torrens Title’. Now available online at and Premier Lara Giddings. www.tasmap.tas.gov.au

Direct enquiries to BL10667 Manager - Client Services T: (03) 6233 3568 F: (03) 6233 6568 Information and Land Services E: [email protected] GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tas 7001 W: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/locationmatters www.thelist.tas.gov.au www.tasmap.tas.gov.au