Developing spatial information sharing strategies across natural resource management communities

Developing spatial information sharing strategies across natural resource management communities

Spatial information plays an important role in many social, environmental, economic and political decisions and is increasingly acknowledged as a national resource essential for wider societal benefits. Natural Resource Management (NRM) is one area where spatial information can be used for improved planning and decision-making. Traditionally, national mapping agencies and government organisations have been the main spatial data providers for the natural resource management sector. Recent developments in spatial and information communication technology have provided a new opportunity for the NRM community to collect and manage spatial information. With this new environment, the access and sharing of spatial information between NRM communities and government agencies is emerging as an important issue. The aim of this paper is to identify the key factors which influence spatial information sharing between state government organisations and regional NRM bodies/catchment management authorities in Australia and formulate strategies to facilitate spatial information sharing and hence support spatial enablement initiatives. A mixed method research approach was utilised to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from regional NRM bodies. A questionnaire survey conducted across 56 regional NRM bodies provided the current status of spatial information access and sharing and explored the SDI development activities in the NRM sector in Australia. A detailed case study explored the effectiveness of spatial information and knowledge sharing arrangements between regional NRM bodies and state government organisations. Using the mixed method design framework, the key factors which influence spatial information sharing between state government organisations and regional NRM bodies/catchment management authorities were identified and classified into six major classes as organisational, economic, policy, legal, cultural and technical. The study suggests that the adoption and implementation of strategies can facilitate spatial information sharing and hence advancing spatially enabled communities across the NRM sector.

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