A Local-State Government Spatial Data Sharing Partnership

The research concluded that large formal data sharing initiatives are effective mechanisms
for coordination of data sharing activities and hence facilitate SDI development. However,
greater efforts are required in respect to the performance measurement and monitoring of
these partnership ventures to enable the accurate assessment of their outcomes. The
qualitative case studies found that the jurisdictional and institutional environments have a
significant influence on partnership outcomes and should be carefully considered during
the establishment and operation of these initiatives. The quantitative analysis of local
governments identified significant differences among the three state partnership initiatives
which resulted from differing state government policy, LGA resource and technical
capacity, training, organisational size and geographical remoteness.
The partnership model successfully described and assessed the multi-dimensional nature of
inter-jurisdictional data sharing initiatives. The model recognised the context of the
collaboration, the collaborative process and the outcomes of collaborative initiative.
Moreover, the model was used to effectively determine the strengths and weaknesses of
the partnerships and hence identify their success and sustainability.
It is expected that spatial data sharing initiatives, particularly formal partnerships, will
continue to grow as their benefits become more widely accepted. The success of future
SDI development efforts will therefore rely heavily on collaborative processes which
engage sub-national governments and the private sector to deliver relevant, citizen-based
spatial data for the benefit of society.
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