A Local-State Government Spatial Data Sharing Partnership

2.1 Introduction
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Chapter 2 – Spatial Data and SDI in Context
This chapter examines spatial information developments across local, state and federal
government in Australia, the progress of information infrastructures including spatial data
infrastructures and the advances in spatial data sharing theory. The development and
evolution of spatial information systems in Australia, more commonly termed land or
geographic information systems, provides an important perspective of developments which
have resulted in the current jurisdictional and institutional arrangements. The more recent
treatment of spatial information as an infrastructure and the emergence of SDI concepts
and models are then examined. Finally, the process of spatial data sharing is explored to
provide an understanding of the models, typologies and issues that have developed in
recent years.
2.2 Spatial Information Developments in Australia – A Brief
History
2.2.1 Definitions
Throughout this dissertation, and this chapter specifically, the terms land information
systems, geographic information systems and spatial information systems will be utilised
and discussed. It is therefore useful to clarify this terminology and to put in context their
historical development and contemporary usage.
A land information system (LIS) is described in literature as an information system that is
specifically related to parcels of land (Grimshaw 2000). Traditionally, these systems have
been closely linked with land administration systems including the computerisation of the
cadastral maps that underpin these systems. The focus of these systems was generally
narrow, and they were primarily developed to support the land administration and mapping
activities within government agencies.
Geographic information systems (GIS) are considered to be an expansion of the
functionality and scope of land information systems. The Chorley Report in the UK
provides a useful definition of a GIS as “A system for capturing, storing, checking,
manipulating, analysing and displaying data which are spatially referenced to the earth”
(Department of Environment 1987, p. 132). Many other authors have developed similar
definitions which broaden the context to geography and the earth more generally. For the
purpose of this research the definition by Carter that a GIS is “An institutional entity,
reflecting an organisational structure that integrates technology with a database, expertise
and continuing financial support over time” (Carter 1989, p. 3) provides an important
focus on the organisational context of GIS.