Background to Vicmap Book Program

Several years ago, a number of internal and external factors led Country Fire Authority (CFA) to review the provision of hard copy mapping. These factors included changes in Australia Mapping Standards (ie. adoption of GDA), Privacy Legislation, Country Call Taking (CCT) and Rural Road Numbering (RRN). In addition, the existing CFA map books were over 10 years old in some areas and contained variable (and in some cases outdated and inaccurate) data and inconsistencies between books. In addition, the Victorian Bushfire Inquiry chaired by the Department of Justice in 2003 concluded that the range of topographic mapping used by various emergency services agencies was retarding operations and recommended that the State's emergency management services adopted a coordinated and consistent approach to mapping.

In 2005, in response to these challenges, CFA entered into a partnership with Spatial Vision and the Spatial Information Infrastructure (SII) group with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to abandon the CFA's map book program and develop five new topographic map books (replacing the eleven old CFA books). The first of these new Vicmap Books was introduced in 2006 and state-wide coverage was completed in mid-2007. These new books will be progressively updated every two years and will make use of new and improved data as it becomes available. The first "second edition" Vicmap Books is due to be released in early 2008.

Spatial Vision's Vicmap Books are based on the State's official mapbase (Vicmap) administered by DSE. The CFA recognised significant benefits in adopting Vicmap data as the basis for the new books. These benefits include consistency with the Computer Aided Dispatch System and consistency with other emergency service agencies such as DSE Fire Management. In electing to adopt Vicmap data, the CFA recognised that maintaining "their own version" of mapping data was leading to wasteful duplication and more importantly confusion in emergency situations.

Vicmap data is derived from a wide range of sources and as such, its quality, accuracy and completeness varies from across the state. It also varies depending on the type of information (e.g. Roads, Vegetation, etc). Custodian responsibility for this data is shared between many Government departments and a range of programs have been established to maintain and improve this data. The maintenance of this data remains a large and ongoing task dependent upon the contribution of a large number of organisations. For example, local government plays a key role in providing cadastral and local government roading information, while DSE and Parks Victoria are responsible for roading information related to public land such as in State forest and National Parks respectively. School information is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, while general building information (such as residences and sheds) has been managed by the CFA.

The current Mapbook program has been in place within the CFA for almost 2 years. Map books are being produced in accordance with a publication schedule agreed with the CFA. The program also includes an ongoing process in which the CFA and other interested parties can lodge feedback with DSE related to data quality issues. This feedback is reviewed by DSE and where necessary, the original data amended based on input and advice from the responsible custodian. DSE trialled a new on-line feedback system, in the North-West of the State.

It is understood this system will be further expanded in 2008 and that the second edition of the map books will incorporate many improvements in the data presented based on the feedback received in addition to the State's ongoing data maintenance program. Importantly, these improvements will be reflected in the State's map base (Vicmap) that underpins the map books as well as providing the map base for the State's emergency dispatch system.

Spatial Vision continues to work closely with the CFA, DSE and other key stakeholders to ensure the most current and best available information is sourced and presented in the books in a manner that is aligned with the requirements of the emergency services.

For further information, please contact:
Glenn Cockerton
(03) 9691 3000
info@spatialvision.com.au