Digital Lodgement of Cadastral Survey Data in Australia - Centre for ...

some of their plans in digital form, either to water authorities or councils. Although it was not specified how these plans were
submitted, it still highlights the high computer literacy within the industry.
In general, all three states support the concept of digital lodgement, as they feel it will save time and money, increase data
accuracy and improve data retrieval. However several problems were noted that would have to be addressed if it were to be
introduced. One of the major issues is software compatibility, as it would seem unreasonable to make it necessary for surveyors
to purchase new software if they felt they were not benefiting from digital lodgement. Also the integrity of the data while plans
are in transit was highlighted as a major problem, in which security issues would need to be thoroughly investigated. Lastly
intellectual property seemed a concern for many surveyors, as they felt that they were the ones generating the spatial data, only
to have it taken away from them and sold for profit by others. However there are many issues concerned with intellectual
property which only a thorough understanding of all sides of the problem, and good will from all parties, can solve. These
issues are discussed in more depth in the following section.
ISSUES
There are several key issues which must be resolved before digital lodgement of survey data can be fully introduced. Most of
these issues have been identified as a result of the questionnaire results and an investigation of digital lodgement in most
Australian states and New Zealand, and include technological, legal and administrative aspects of digital lodgement. This
section summarises these key issues, although further attention is placed on these issues in a follow up paper.
An issue that is predominantly relevant to the survey profession is that of file formats, and the software used to create the files.
Currently the only output that can be obtained by all packages is DXF format, which is not suitable for passing between
systems due to its layered approach. Therefore it is imperative that a file format be developed, which can either be output using
standard surveying software, or secondly can be converted at a later stage of the lodgement process so that the surveyor is not
responsible for the conversion of the file. The main objective is to prevent the surveyor from having to purchase new software
to accommodate digital lodgement. Similarly, standards for the actual presentation of the data must be determined. At the
moment, there are set standards for hard copy plans in all jurisdictions, but not for digital plans.
The actual transfer of the digital data would seem to be the next most logical process in the sequence of plan lodgement.
Although there are several methods which can be used at the moment, including floppy disk (which does not solve the problem
of handling physical objects), FTP and email, it would appear that the most logical solution is using the Internet to directly
update databases. (Polley, 1998a) and (Polley and Williamson, 1998b) have shown that it is possible to achieve two way flows
on the Internet, both from the data provider to the user, and also from the private surveyor to the data custodian.
There are certain security measures that are also necessary if plans are to be lodged electronically. These include the integrity
of the plan during transit, ensuring that the information in the plan is not tampered with. Secondly is the actual certification of
the plan by the licensed surveyor. At the moment, handwritten signatures are used to certify that the information is indeed
correct, however these have several drawbacks such as forgery, and no scientific proof of verification. Digital signatures
actually provide more stringent security than handwritten signatures as they are created by mathematic algorithms, which
means they are almost impossible to forge. They can also prove the integrity and origin of the message, which makes them ideal
for transmitting data electronically.
The issue of intellectual property is one that is relevant not just to plan lodgement, but also to many different industries. Some
argue that the information produced by surveyors when carrying out surveys in the field should be copyrighted, whilst others
argue that this cannot be copyrighted. The problem appears ambiguous, and although it does have an impact on digital
lodgement, it should not be a deciding factor as to whether or not digital lodgement proceeds.
Several other issues have also been identified, including ease of conversion to a digital environment, coordination of surveys,
and educating the involved parties. One issue of high importance is quality assurance, and determining who has the
responsibility for extensively checking plans. A number of jurisdictions have reviewed this function and have significantly
moved it into the private sector.
CONCLUSION
Cadastral reform of the current land registration system is needed if we are to progress into the information world of the 21 st
century. One significant component of this is the lodgement of cadastral data which is envisaged to be conducted digitally in