A Local-State Government Spatial Data Sharing Partnership

A Local-State Spatial Data Sharing Partnership Model to Facilitate SDI Development
In recent literature, spatial information systems (SIS) are perceived to provide a further
dimension to GIS by not constraining the information to the geographic context of the
earth’s surface or near earth’s surface (Goodchild 2001).
Property related information is perhaps best described as a subset of the land information
and includes that range of data that support the management of land parcels and property.
It usually includes the cadastral parcels, land title information, address, property
information and land valuation data. This information is used by all levels of government
and the private sector to manage a range of property services and transactions.
This research has focussed on spatial data sharing partnerships which deal primarily with
property related information. Hence, some background on the developments relating to
spatial information in Australia generally, and property related information specifically,
are reviewed.
2.2.2 Overview and Context
Australia, like many developed countries, has progressively established a capacity to build,
manage and distribute its spatial information across the government and non-government
sectors. The purpose of this review is to provide an historical summary of the important
developments in the areas of land and spatial information in Australia across the three
levels of government – local, state and federal.
2.2.3 Spatial Information Developments in Local Government
Local government in Australia is a system of government established under state
government legislation and is governed by a council, elected directly by, and accountable
to, the various communities which they serve. Local government authorities (LGAs), or
councils as they are commonly termed, are multifunctional and provide a wide range of
services through a single administrative structure for the governance and good
management of towns, cities and communities (Hullick & Cooper 1993).
Responsibilities of local government vary from state to state but extend well beyond the
traditional perspective of the “three Rs” of roads, rubbish and rates. Most local
governments control or oversee land development and planning, parks, community
facilities, environmental compliance, water supply, sewerage and community health
amongst other responsibilities. The land related information and mapping that supports
their decision-making is typically at a detailed level or large scale (1:100 to 1:5000).
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