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Award Shows Benefits For Coastal CommunitiesBass Coast Shire Council has received a prestigious international award for developing a system that helps predict the extent of potential storm surges, flooding and sea level rise. By Bass Coast - 8th February 2012 - Back to News Late last year, Council’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Data Systems Team was awarded the Asia Pacific Spatial Excellence Award, for their innovative use of airborne laser scanning (LiDAR), and high quality drainage data supplied by Rapidmap.
The Asia-Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards are issued by the Surveying and Spatial Science Institute, together with the Spatial Industries Business Association (SIBA), and recognise pre-eminence in the profession or industry.
The awards promote the success of high level performers from all facets of the spatial arena, including the public, private and academic sectors.
Acting Infrastructure Director, Mark Simpson, said the team has done an outstanding job.
"They have used technical software, systems and data to come up with a research tool acclaimed by an international science community.
"At the Council Meeting on 15 February, a special presentation of the award will be made by Mr George Havakis Managing Director of GISSA and Chair of the SIBA and Mrs Lynette Terrett, Director of Iconyx Spatial Technologies and Chair of SIBA Destination Spatial. "We are encouraging people to come along to the meeting as our staff will also give a short talk about the system and the project," said Mr Simpson.
"The system provides a way to predict what happens to waterways, land forms and foreshores as a consequence of large storm events and predicted sea level rise.
"Knowing more about the flow characteristics of our waterways and coastlines helps to inform future planning and land development for these areas. Bass Coast community will benefit from the leading edge use of this technology and the professional expertise of our GIS and Data systems team," Mr Simpson said.
John Keays, Director of SIBA said that Bass Coast Shire Council and RapidMap Joint Project demonstrated the exceptional outcomes achieved when surveyors and spatial scientists across organisations work together.
"Government, private industry and academics have united to mitigate the risks of climate change for coastal communities," said Mr Keays.
"The team has substantially improved the processes that coastal regions can use to protect their communities from potential natural disasters such as sea level rise, storm surges or flooding events."
Mr Havakis, Chair of SIBA and Managing Director, GISSA International said Council’s desire to collaborate with industry, and academia is to be congratulated. He said the award acknowledges the significant contribution that Bass Coast Shire Council has made to the sustainability of the community.
The Council Meeting starts at 5.00pm on Wednesday, 15 February at the Civic Centre Council Chamber, Wonthaggi. The meeting agenda is available from Friday, 10 February on Council’s website www.basscoat.vic.gov.au or by calling 1300 BCOAST (226 278).
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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