A Local-State Government Spatial Data Sharing Partnership

SDI Component – Standards
Access
Networks
People Policy
Data
Standards
SDI Component – Access and
Technology
SDI Component – Policy and
Institutional Arrangements
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Chapter 7 – Model Development and Discussion
Standards are an important component of any data
sharing arrangement, particularly if the data sharing is
to become systemised and include a large number of
multiple partners. The model sub-component of
business rules and responsibilities identifies
appropriate standards for compliance to state or
national standards for data exchange. The value of
metadata standards was highlighted in the case
studies, particularly its role in facilitating data
discovery and improving data quality.
The very process of exchanging and sharing data
encourages the use of a standardised approach. The
move towards interoperability is further hastened by
continuous and prolonged data exchange and sharing.
The model contributes to greater use and adoption of
standards as advocated by SDI policy.
Access procedures are not necessarily part of a data
sharing partnership, however, the partnership will
facilitate the provision of data through jurisdictional
SDI developments. Appropriate technology and ICT
infrastructure for the data sharing can equally support
access arrangements.
Two of the three state governments had established
web portals as a result of their spatial data sharing
initiatives. The partnership outcomes of delivering
data and the need to provide access back to local
governments and other agencies has been a positive
driver to develop the web portals.
Policy and institutional arrangements are a critical
component of the model and will be both influenced
by, and impact on, SDI development. Initial
partnership strategies need to have a strong policy
and institutional focus in the early negotiations.
During partnership formation formal policies must be
developed as part of the governance arrangements or
preferably adopt the broader jurisdictional SDI policies
if they are suitable. The business rules and
responsibilities component identified institutional and
custodianship responsibilities which should comply
with existing SDI protocols.
The partnership model assists SDI policy development
by identifying where weaknesses exist and where
further policy efforts need to be focussed. The
partnership rules also facilitate the propagation of SDI
policy across jurisdictions.
As can be seen from the discussion above, the partnership model contributes significantly
to SDI development. This supports the underlying premise that either SDI models should