Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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site specific
region wide
Satellite tracking
Looking at things from a different perspective always brings clarity. And the same applies with satellite imagery, which allows graziers in Queensland's Northern Gulf to view the condition of their land on a large scale and make better decisions.
Already, landholders from 63 grazing properties in the region, totalling 4,570,000, hectares have completed Global Positioning System (GPS) training.
This has involved learning to use modern technology to harness the oldest source of knowledge - land systems. A further 22 graziers from properties totalling more than 3 million hectares have expressed interest.
Funding
The target for this mapping project - funded with over $200,000 from the Australian Government via the Northern Gulf Natural Resource Management Group - is to map 50 per cent of the region. For every dollar that the Government puts in, graziers more than match this in labour. The State Government has also provided support.
Activities
Project manager Michael Digby said infrastructure mapping was well underway, with 20 properties completed and 43 properties at various stages of mapping activities on the ground.
"Satellite imagery is helping graziers map their property to see how many hectares of land types there are, how much is in each paddock and how much grass grows on each land type, and therefore how many head of cattle you can carry," Michael said.
"These are the most detailed maps in the area (1: 25,000 to 1:50000 scale) so they are highly sought after. When we first started there was no suitable satellite imagery available and what we did have was too coarse and the resolution wasn't fine enough.
"Now we're getting down to rocket science and accessing and producing data that the State couldn't provide. In fact, imagery has not only been distributed to 63 landholders, but also been made available to 11 research projects, plus Police and Australian Defence for emergency and homeland security use."
Achievements
Today, the use of satellite imagery is a primary part of property management and natural resource mapping in the region and is widely accepted. There is now unprecedented access to satellite imagery and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Software - at an affordable cost -for family operated grazing properties, Indigenous grazing properties, Land and Sea management centres and landcare or catchment groups.
"Never underestimate the abilities of remote communities to pick up and run with new technologies," Michael said.
More information
- Michael Digby, Project manager: (07) 4062 1330 or rmsc.ngrmg@bigpond.com
See also
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