Diversity & Inclusion Award
Geoffrey Smith, Australian Spatial Analytics
Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA), founded by Geoff Smith in 2020, has quickly become one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing work-integrated social enterprises. ASA has provided geospatial and digital engineering careers for over 150 young neurodivergent adults, addressing critical skills shortages and data sovereignty concerns in Australia. By tapping into the unique cognitive talents of these individuals, ASA delivers essential professional services across multiple industries, work that might otherwise be outsourced overseas. Beyond their professional contributions, ASA is creating lasting social impact by fostering sustainable careers for neurodivergent adults within inclusive organisations. Judge’s remarked that Geoff’s commitment to championing diversity has not only made a tangible impact on the industry but has also challenged biases against marginalised groups in innovative and impactful ways, resulting in a truly remarkable national influence.
Postgraduate Student Award
Sijan Bhandari, University of Southern Queensland
Sijan Bhandari, a registered graduate surveyor with the Surveyors Board of Queensland, recently completed a Master of Research degree from the University of Southern Queensland. His thesis, titled “Spatially Enabled Digital Twin Framework for the Field Design Process of Oil and Gas Projects,” holds significant potential for advancing Australia’s geospatial field, particularly within the realm of spatial digital twins. Sijan actively contributes to the profession through his involvement in key organisations such as the Geospatial Council of Australia, the Institute of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, and the Australian Institute of Mine Surveyors. Judges noted that Sijan’s work demonstrates promising advancements in utilising digital twins for effective 2D, 3D, and 4D visualisations, enhanced analytics, and broader socioeconomic applications.
Future Leader of the Year Award
Ben Gan, Esri Australia
Ben Gan, a Senior Consultant at Esri Australia, is a recognised expert in technical GIS domains, including Solution Architecture, System Performance, and Web Applications. His expertise has been integral to the success of some of the largest GIS projects in Australia, and his enthusiasm and dedication have made him one of the most active figures in the Australian geospatial industry. He has demonstrated strong leadership through his roles on the National Young and Emerging Professionals committee, chairing the GCA mentoring program, and participating in various working groups and nonprofit events. Judges commented that Ben is a great role model for all those entering the profession, and thanked him for setting such a high standard of professional excellence.
INDUSTRY AWARDS WINNERS
Community Impact Award
Jacobs for the Arts Queensland Cultural Centre
Arts Queensland, as the trustee of Queensland’s Cultural Centre, oversees one of the state’s most vital arts hubs, located at Brisbane’s South Bank. This iconic precinct houses Queensland’s leading arts and cultural institutions. In the wake of significant flood events that impacted both the Centre and the broader community, Jacobs was commissioned to conduct a flood study and design flood mitigation solutions. The Jacobs Data Capture team played a pivotal role in this effort, providing advanced data capture and digital solutions across multiple platforms. Their work was essential in deepening the understanding of the built environment and the interaction of underground utilities in this complex flood study. Judges noted that with projects like this, which enhance our understanding of flood engineering solutions, are of paramount importance.
Environment & Sustainability Award
Wilderness Society for Watch on Nature
Australia faces a critical environmental crisis of a global deforestation front, with the highest rate of mammal extinctions worldwide. Each year, hundreds of thousands of hectares of forests and bushland are destroyed for agricultural expansion, logging, mining, and urban development, inflicting severe damage on wildlife, communities, and the climate. In response, the Wilderness Society developed Watch on Nature, a web-based platform designed to detect and expose deforestation across Australia. Leveraging Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and Google Earth Engine, along with user-friendly GIS tools, the platform empowers citizen scientists to monitor and map deforestation activities. These observations are then supported by organisational intervention. Judges commented that the scale of engagement and the broad benefits of this project- from training data algorithms to fostering community vigilance-make it an incredibly significant contribution to environmental protection.
Innovation Award – Medium to Large Business
Australian Spatial Analytics for its Talent Services (Employment Transition Program)
As previously mentioned, Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA) is one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing work-integrated social enterprises. It’s Talent Services innovation (which includes their Employment Transition Program) addresses the demand for big data skills in the geospatial and digital engineering professions while creating work for young neurodivergent adults in forward-looking sectors. Being highly scalable, it delivers STEM workforces for multiple organisations and industries experiencing severe skills shortages while creating social and economic impact and addressing Australia’s data sovereignty concerns. Judges praised this unique service creating pathways for neurodiverse individuals that benefit both the people and the geospatial industry at large, showcasing a people-first approach that generates opportunities and advantages for all involved.
Innovation Award – Small Business
Locatrix, NSW Police, Queensland Fire & Emergency Services, Queensland Police for its Emergency Services Platform
Since 2019, Locatrix has collaborated with Emergency Services Agencies to develop a groundbreaking way to share its extensive inventory of accurate and up-to-date digital indoor floor plans. This initiative aims to provide first responders with the most current, digitized, and geo-referenced building information, helping to mitigate risks, protect people, and keep communities safe. Locatrix believes that enhanced building intelligence equips operational command with the tools they need to react swiftly and effectively during emergencies when every second counts. Currently, the NSW Police is piloting this program, integrating it with their Geospatial Emergency Management Intelligence Systems. Judges noted that the primary purpose of spatial data is to offer more accurate and regular insights into the real world, enabling better decision-making for optimal outcomes. This initiative excels in that regard by granting emergency services access to invaluable spatial data on the ever-changing internal layouts of buildings, leading to faster, safer, and more informed decisions that protect both emergency response crews, and the communities they serve.
Technical Excellence Award
Cancer Council Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology for its Australian Cancer Atlas 2.0
After three years of development, the Australian Cancer Atlas 2.0 launched in May 2024, offering unparalleled insights into the spatial patterns of cancer across Australia. This cutting-edge tool provides comprehensive spatial data on risk factors, screening, diagnosis, clinical characteristics, hospital treatments, and cancer survival rates, highlighting changes in these patterns over the past two decades. Developed with contributions from over 35 experts and multiple organisations, the ACA 2.0 integrates state-of-the-art statistics, epidemiology, visualisation, and digital architecture. Through its technical innovation and clear communication of complex results, the ACA 2.0 is accessible to a wide range of users, uniquely equipping them to address spatial disparities in cancer outcomes. Judges praised this outstanding project for demonstrating the significant potential of GIS in the human health industry, showcasing how spatial analytics and data analysis can be harnessed to understand trends in cancer data. They also highlighted how GIS can be used as a powerful tool to communicate these trends in an intuitive, user-friendly way, making a real impact on public health efforts.
Workforce Development and Inclusion Award
Australian Spatial Analytics and the Department of Resources for the Department of Resources: Employment Transition Program for geospatial data analysts
Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA) and the Department of Resources have forged a transformative partnership, enhancing opportunities for ASA’s young neurodivergent data analysts to contribute to Queensland’s crucial datasets used for vital decision-making. Through this collaboration, analysts engage in diverse projects within the geospatial field, providing the Department with skilled, work-ready team members to address their resourcing needs. This partnership represents a major advancement in overcoming employment barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals. Analysts benefit from comprehensive development, upskilling, and further chances for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and teamwork. This approach not only builds confidence but also prepares ASA staff for potential full-time roles within the Department. Judges praised the robust post-placement and transition support, highlighting its significant impact on career progression and employment stability.
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