A Local-State Government Spatial Data Sharing Partnership

A Local-State Spatial Data Sharing Partnership Model to Facilitate SDI Development
1. Review existing theory and practice in spatial data sharing, spatial data
infrastructures and inter-organisational collaboration. Specifically, review the
spatial information developments in Australia including the state and local
government environments.
2. Describe and classify a number of existing local/state government spatial data
sharing partnerships in Australia including their political (jurisdictional),
institutional and operational dimensions.
3. Empirically assess the impact of the organisational characteristics, capacities and
attitudes in local government to the differing spatial data sharing partnership
outcomes.
4. Identify the critical factors or issues that influence data sharing partnership efforts
between local and state government and utilise these findings to develop a generic
partnership model.
5. Evaluate the partnership model and assess its wider application including its
potential contribution to SDI development.
1.3 Justification for Research
In Australia, there have been no systematic studies to investigate the factors that influence
the sharing of spatial information between local and state government. Although some
attempts have been made to understand the reasons for sharing spatial data and the
collaboration mechanisms between Australian jurisdictions, they have been limited
(Warnest 2005). Researchers in the UK, Europe and the USA have made significant
progress in examining the sharing of spatial information amongst governments, but the
research has rarely progressed beyond the identification of impediments. Craglia &
Signoretta (2000) identified in their case studies of local municipalities that there was very
little development of SDI at a local level and, because of the heterogenous nature of this
level of government, efforts could not be easily replicated. In addition, most research has
attempted to treat the sharing of all spatial data sets equally. It is now recognised that
some information, such as property information, is fundamental to the operation of
government, industry and the community as a whole, and priority should be given to
improving the management of this data (ANZLIC 1996).
In the research recommendations of Warnest (2005), the author highlights the increasingly
important role of local government and its information when he says “Local level
government is an authoritative source of spatial information including property, address
and local roads information. The role of local governments is also expanding as
community services increase and tasks such as environmental management and
6