More accurate data to help deliver investment opportunities, aid regional jobs and drive economic growth across the State will soon be available for people across NSW with the NSW Government’s state-wide Gravity Model.
Acting NSW Surveyor-General Thomas Grinter said the NSW Gravity Model would capture data from across NSW using aeroplanes equipped with gravity sensors to improve the accuracy of real-world heights down to just a few centimetres.
“Existing geophysical and geodetic data, which looks at the Earth’s shape, orientation and gravity field are out of date, incomplete and inconsistent. Much of the data includes a combination of land-based, satellite and airborne gravity data collected across several decades,” Mr Grinter said.
“An improved Gravity Model will help land managers understand their groundwater stores, allows engineers to identify where major natural hazards may occur and help surveyors measure height more accurately.
“This is the framework to build the smart cities of the future and provide more accurate data to better manage resources, infrastructure projects and natural hazards.”
The NSW Gravity Model project will be captured in five stages from May 2022 and will be completed by December 2023.
Spatial Services Executive Director Narelle Underwood said people’s privacy would be protected throughout the process, as the aircraft would only be equipped with an instrument that measures gravity data.
“The privacy of our people is always of highest priority and it must be stressed that the planes will not be capable of capturing images of property, infrastructure, or individual people,” Ms Underwood said.
“The gravity measuring instruments do not emit any signals, or impact people, animals or infrastructure and have been used for decades throughout both Australia and globally.”
Once captured, the gravity data will be freely available through the NSW Government’s open data platforms and licensed for public use.
F
