A shared vision
The Surveying & Spatial Sciences Institute (SSSI) and the Spatial Industries Business Association (SIBA|GITA) formed a strong collaborative relationship over many years, with shared goals and a shared vision for the future of geospatial in Australia.
In November 2022, SSSI and SIBA|GITA members voted to merge and form the new peak geospatial body Geospatial Council of Australia (GCA).
By merging SSSI and SIBA|GITA we can do more for our sector. We become a powerful voice that represents both professionals and businesses and we can create a stronger foundation for sustainable sector growth. At the moment we are experiencing significant workforce capability and capacity issues. We need to work with government, education and training and industry to ensure we have the structures and programs in place to nurture a skilled and qualified workforce in the future. With our combined skills and resources, we can advocate for initiatives which will advance our sector and drive meaningful change.
Paul Digney SSSI, President
In my career as a land surveyor, the only thing that has been consistent is change. Technology and digital disruption continue to offer the spatial community limitless opportunities. Yet on several matters the spatial community’s conversation has not changed at all, particularly around workforce shortages, the age and diversity of the workforce, remuneration, competency recognition etc. To be able to address these issues we must be united in our representation, we must have significant numbers to change the current situation and to keep our momentum going. The merger of SSSI and SIBA|GITA is a vital step in the process.
Alistair Byrom SIBAIGITA, Chair
New era & a new peak body
Today the lines have blurred. Surveying and spatial are complementary, and are just two parts of the overall geospatial picture.
Geospatial is an all-encompassing term covering the accurate knowing of ‘where’ which includes surveying; hydrography, cartography, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT); spatial analytics; earth observation from space, airborne and terrestrial platforms; and 3D scanning also from airborne and terrestrial platforms.
Geospatial also includes smart technologies such as, big data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced robotics, automation, edge computing, continuous internet connectivity, sensors everywhere, digital twins and advanced interoperability – the same technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) driving an economy wide digital transformation.
The industry is made up of those technologies, services, software, hardware data and knowledge.
It is time we are defined as one. Collectively we are geospatial, but we are comprised of a plethora of disciplines and technologies.