Terranean News
27 July 2008
Major case study of climate change vulnerability.
Natural Solutions, Conics and Terranean have together won a major climate change study into the Pimpama catchment on the northern Gold Coast.
The study has been commissioned by the Department of Climate Change under the National Coastal Vulnerability Assessment program. It will examine the potential impacts of climate change on the coastline and ecosystems of the Pimpama River and adjacent parts of southern Moreton Bay. The area is important for cane production, aquaculture, recreation, tourism and, increasingly, urban development. The southern bay is a unique network of channels and low islands, separating the Bay from north Stradbroke island. The extensive mangrove and seagrass areas are important contributors to the fisheries of the bay. The district is low lying and both the estuarine and land based activities are vilnerable to changes in sea level, storm surge and flooding.
The study will help to understand the mechanisms by which climate change may impact on the coastline and ecosytems of the area and in turn the socio-economic impacts on rural, urban and marine activities.
Land Development Planning
Gold Coast Surveyors, Michel Group Services engaged Terranean to undertake a detailed LiDAR and Aerial Photography Survey of a 5 square kilometer development site near Nerang. The objective was to provide survey accurate data and ortho-photography over this heavily vegetated terrain at less than the cost of traditional field parties. Specifically 0.5m contours and 15 cm resolution ortho-photography were required as a basis for master planning over the site.
Terranean’s “eye safe” scanner enabled us to legally fly at low altitude, and this, together with the high pulse rate of the scanner, resulted in the capture of very high resolution data. This in turn ensured that a large number of points penetrated the thick vegetation canopy to generate a detailed ground elevation model (DEM).
Digital aerial photography was captured simultaneously with the LiDAR data thereby avoiding the extra cost of a second flight. The LiDAR surface model was used to ortho-rectify the digital photography and generate the 0.5m contours.
Combining the 3 data sets, the Michel Group was able to: extract valuable information such as existing infrastructure; make a flood risk assessment; and determine possible development locations.
Subset of Digital Elevation Model overlayed with 0.5m Contours
Aerial Photography captured simultaneously with LiDAR Data
Other Terranean land development projects »
Coastal Mapping
This competitive tender was let by the Queensland Department of Infrastructure and Planning, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)to carry out a LiDAR survey to produce a highly detailed Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and contours of a section of potential new national Park in South East Queensland. The EPA needed mapping of this level of detail so they could plan the implementation of the new National Park and monitor the possible effects of climate change over this low lying coastal land.
The EPA required 0.2 meter contours over the 64 sq km area to understand even the most subtle of the drainage dynamics of the project area. The area is covered by a variety of land types including dense littoral forest, sand dunes and mud flats.
The key to a good result were high accuracy and good penetration of the vegetation to achieve a high number of points on the ground. As illustrated in the diagrams below, the LiDAR scans achieved excellent penetration through the thick vegetation with no discernable difference in DEM quality between the vegetated and non-vegetated areas. Checking of the control indicated an absolute accuracy of approximately 10 cm and a relative accuracy of a very high 15mm were achieved.
The project was successfully delivered with the EPA receiving an accurate and reliable DEM on which they can base their assessment, planning and future monitoring.
0.2m contours generated through dense coastal vegetation
DEM showing sand tracks and holding ponds
Other Terranean environmental projects »
Pipeline Design
Like most pipeline projects Metgasco needed accurate mapping information, quickly and within tight budgets. The challenge for Metgasco Ltd was to design a pipeline to take natural gas from the Clarence-Moreton Basin near Casino, over the Mcpherson Ranges, to the CS Energy Swanbank Power Station near Ipswich, in Queensland. The McPherson Ranges on the border of South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales represents some of the most picturesque landscapes in Australia.
Mipela who were managing the GIS integration of the project contracted Terranean to carry out a 135 sq km LiDAR survey to provide 1m contours suitable for Metgasco engineers to carry out detailed route selection and engineering design. The project had a number of considerable challenges: Tight time constraints; significant areas covered in vegetation; and the project timing coincided with heavy rain and constant cloud cover.
The project successfully overcame these challenges. The key factors were:
- The high pulse rate of the Terranean scanner enable good penetration of the vegetation and definition of the ground;
- The characteristics of the scanner meant that a “square” pattern of points reached the ground rather than a stretched “rectangle”. This resulted in an even spread of points over the large area of the project which resulted in a consistently detailed DEM which in turn allowed route selection to be made with confidence.
- The flexibility of the plane and scanner allowed flying under the clouds, even in rugged terrain, meaning we did not need to wait for fine weather;
The end result was a high integrity DEM and one meter contours captured at a fraction of the cost of manual survey or photogrammetric methods which were ideal for the purpose of route selection and design.
Other Terranean mining and infrastructure projects »
Global Standards for Southern Gulf Catchments
Terranean Mapping Technologies has completed its second major Land Cover mapping project for Natural Resource Management Groups.
The first project covered the rapidly growing, populated South East Queensland and was carried out for the NRM Group SEQ Catchments. The project was recognised with a Spatial Excellence Award. The second, just completed project, was carried out for the 195,000 square kilometre North Western Queensland NRM Group, Southern Gulf Catchments.
In 2007 all the NRM groups in Western Queensland received complete coverage of rectified 10 metre SPOT imagery to provide up to date mapping of their respective regions. A key objective of Southern Gulf Catchments NRM Group (SGC) is to work with farmers and other stakeholders to carry out weed control, on-ground conservation projects, riparian fencing and pasture monitoring. It was found however, that while 10m SPOT images provided a valuable visual reference, they do not provide specific information on landuse and condition to enable SGC to make management decisions and implement and monitor their management plan.
SPOT imagery gives a visual indication of what is on the ground however it does not identify actual land cover; whether land is woodland or pasture; savannah or bare earth.
The project involved mapping of two pilot areas within the SGC that have significantly different land cover types. The Mt. Isa pilot area covers semi-arid rocky terrain with mainly savannah type land cover, the more easterly Hughenden pilot area is dominated by extensive black soil plains of Mitchell grass.
The project successfully streamlined the process of producing standardised landcover maps using 10m SPOT imagery over large areas with a diversity of landcover types.
The maps used the international Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) devised by the United Nations FAO making it applicable to Land cover mapping of any area in Australia, and establishing a basis for comparing these landcover maps with future maps of the same area and other areas where the same system is used. This provides a basis for monitoring local and regional changes in landcover and condition.
Extensive field survey and checking against 2.5 metre SPOT imagery determined that the results achieved accuracies of over 85%.
Please contact daniel.harrison@terranean.com.au for more information.
GIS Services for Major International Mining Project
Terranean's expertise in GIS and cartography are often put to use in multi-disciplinary projects. An example is our role in the Guinea Alumina Project. The Guinea Alumina Project involves the development of bauxite mine, alumina refinery and associated infrastructure in Guinea, West Africa. The principle project partners are BHP Billiton and CBG which is partly owned by the Guinea Government. Bechtel is contracted to design and build the mine and refinery, perform the necessary feasibility studies and environmental and social assessments.
Terranean was engaged to manage the diverse datasets that are used for projects such as this. Initially Terranean conducted an inventory of available datasets and developed a structured and documented GIS system that included among other datasets, topographic mapping, engineering designs, aerial photography, terrain surfaces, landuse and landcover maps and ecological and geological data. The Guinea Alumina Project has a long history of exploration, resource estimation, and pre-feasibility studies. During this process, enormous amounts of information were collected, updated and superseded. Terranean has the responsibility of ensuring that the different sections of the project are using the most current information.
In November 2007, the project moved into a new phase and Terranean was required to produce a great number of maps and figures and perform spatial analyses for a number of sub-projects including resource estimation, feasibility study, telecommunications, engineering design and social and environmental impact studies. All the projects had tight time frames and Terranean worked closely with the different project teams to coordinate and manage datasets from Brisbane, Perth, Montreal Canada, Denver Colorado and Sangaredi Guinea.
More than 80 maps were produced during November and December 2007, ranging from A0 sized resource maps to A4 report figures and a "context" map of Guinea and west Africa.
Terranean continues to manage the complex and comprehensive GIS. The project is a good example of how Terranean provides GIS support to multi-disciplinary projects.
Terranean launches its state of the art LiDAR service.
LiDAR is the most cost effective method of capturing detailed height data, both of the ground and of features on the ground. It is ideal for generating digital elevation models and contours, and mapping infrastructure such power-lines, and corridors such as proposed pipeline, rail and road routes.
- Terranean has the 1st of the 2nd generation LiDAR units to be introduced into Australia;
- The technology has a very high pulse rate of up to 30 points per square meter making it ideal for collecting the detail required for infrastructure and corridor mapping;
- It provides an extremely fast turn around from flight to production of DEM and contours;
- It is 100% eye-safe at any flying height;
- It has an Integrated digital aerial camera that allows simultaneous LiDAR and photography capture;
- It allows 3D modelling of vegetation by capturing details on canopy, sub-canopy, branches and ground vegetation.
Land Cover Mapping over South East Queensland
Believe it or not, up until now there has been no up to date map of "Land Cover" over the fastest growing area in Australia, South East Queensland. Land Cover shows what is actually on the ground. For example, the extent of urbanisation, the extent of agricultural land and the extent of forests - all essential information for planners trying to grapple with the rapid changes occuring in SE Queensland.
Terranean was contracted by NRM group, SEQ Catchments, to carry out this satellite imagery value-add work. SEQ Catchments has made the large investment to create a seamless 2.5m colour SPOT mosaic over SE Qld. However, while this data is very useful is little more than a picture. Terranean used sophisticated techniques to combine this data with other geographic information to produce an accurate and up to date Land Cover map over the whole region.
Terranean developed a new innovative approach to what has previously been a labour intensive and subjective task. In summary, we used statistical image analysis techniques to map four Primary Classes - Trees, Non-Tree Vegetation, Non-Vegetated Surfaces and Water. We then developed complex GIS rules that sub-divided the Primary Classes into Secondary Classes using externally sourced spatial information such as Landuse, Zoning, Forestry, Agriculture and Vegetation. For example the Primary class, Trees, was allocated to secondary classes Plantation, Orchard or Native Vegetation depending on Landuse and Vegetation type.
Terranean is one of the few private companies in Australia that specialises in value adding Satellite Imagery and we are presently carrying out similar projects for other NRM groups, Government Departments and private companies.
Premier’s Leadership in Business Sustainability Award
As many of you may be aware, Terranean is the Mapping and GIS arm of the 500 person Conics Group.
Conics Chairman Jim McKnoulty was the proud recipient of the Premier’s Leadership in Business Sustainability Award at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2007 Sustainable Industries Awards, held in association with the 8th National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development.
The Hon. Peter Beattie MP, Premier of Queensland and Minister for Trade, was in attendance to welcome guests and present his Leadership in Business Sustainability Award. In announcing the winner, Mr Beattie said the award recognised an outstanding individual contribution to sustainable business and community leadership. Mr Beattie added:
Over the past 25 years, Jim McKnoulty has worked to forge partnerships between industry, government and the community to foster sustainable urban planning and development across Queensland. He was the founding president of the Australian Green Development Forum, and now chairs Conics Limited, a group of professional service companies providing growth management advice to infrastructure and property development industries. Mr McKnoulty is a major supporter of the Sustainable Homes Project.
Congratulations to Jim for his continued commitment to sustainable development and growth management in the development industry.
Wal Mayr
Director
Detailed Gold Coast Aerial Photography and Height data now available!
Terranean is proud to announce the availability of extremely detailed aerial photography and height data over the whole of Gold Coast City:
This comprehensive data ranges from Beenleigh to Coolangatta, and from the Coast to the Hinterland.
The photography is ortho-rectified imagery taken in June 2005. It has a resolution of 15cm and is the ideal backdrop for plans, CAD systems or your GIS.
The height data consists of detailed height points at approximately every metre on the ground produced by LiDAR survey. We can produce a variety of sub-products from this data depending on your needs. These might be one meter contours, or a a mesh of height points. This mesh or DEM (Digital Elevation Model) can be produced at a regular interval of your choosing. For instance we can provide a regular grid of 2m spacing.
We can also provide a second layer of data that defines the tops of houses, structures and trees. This can be used to give an idea of the volume of infrastructure and biomass that lies on the ground service.
Terranean can quickly provide a wide variety of mapping products from this data. So why pay for a resurvey of land when this detailed information is already available?
If you would like further information please call us on 3257 1011 and ask for Tim York.
Terranean Delivers Multi-layered PDF
Terranean Mapping Technologies have added GEOPDF, an innovative adaptation to the worldwide document standard PDF, to their unique range of mapping technologies and services.
GEOPDF delivers complex layered mapping data in a single portable document. Terranean can convert standard multi layered GIS data into a single PDF document. Clients only need the free GEOPDF toolbar to access the extended PDF tools.
The GEOPDF toolbar offers greater functionality than normal PDF documents providing users with the ability to measure distances, manipulate maps and access a greater depth of mapping information.
A recent project application of the GEOPDF involved the collation of data by Terranean from a number of project consultants, including PMM and Natural Solutions.
The document became a centralized data source for all the various project consultants and disciplines enabling the client to interrogate the site based on the parameters of each PDF layer.
In this instance, the client was able to turn layers on and off to assess the site’s boundaries, flood plains, examine existing lots, identify protected areas or endangered species and even evaluate alternative planning schemes.
The real benefits of this format are its accessibility and ease of use, particularly for non-technical professionals. The depth of information is easy to interrogate, while its PDF format enables the document to be viewed anywhere.
Full working examples of GEOPDF are available from Terranean.Contact Daniel Harrison, Client Services Manager Daniel.harrison@terranean.com.au on (07) 3257 1057 for further information.