The private surveyor as a spatial data custodian in the local community

Abstract

With approximately 2200 land surveying businesses in Australia service differentiation is increasingly focused on the implementation and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a business enabler. However the surveying profession does not appear to be using the available tools to leverage their extensive spatial knowledge to the benefit of their clients and the local community. The aim of this project was to investigate the feasibility of value added spatial data services being provided by the private survey industry. The research approach looked at the experience of related industries, collecting information on a range of measures from surveyors through a questionnaire and analysing the results to develop appropriate conclusions and recommendations. Any issues raised in the questionnaire that appeared to indicate constraints on the surveyors ability to undertake these types of services were investigated to determine if the constraint could be relaxed or removed. All of this information was then compared with the academic and professional literature to draw out lessons for the industry, consider the impacts on the profession, look at the role of digital data in the community and consider any implementation issues with GIS. The project demonstrated that it is feasible for surveyors to implement GIS using the project toolbox model. However diffusion of GIS technology is not yet pervasive in the industry meaning the wider goal of demonstrating custodianship capability for the local community is not yet achievable. While there appear to be a number of constraints to implementation, they are predominantly within the control of the surveyor.