WALIS International Forum 2009

Lands Minister Brendon Grylls today opened the Western Australian Land Information System (WALIS) International Forum, highlighting the technological advancement that is providing huge opportunities for companies working in the spatial industry.

The WALIS forum has become the premier spatial information event in Australia.  More than 600 people have registered to attend the three-day event at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

"It is hard to believe that Microsoft's Virtual Earth and Google Earth are less than five years old, but have become so common that these applications have become part of everyday life," Mr Grylls said.

"Our mobile phones are now able to use web technology and provide us with location-based intelligence, pretty-much wherever we are in the world.

"We are certainly at the starting point of a new and exciting phase of innovation in the field of spatial information."

The Asia Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards are also being held in Perth in conjunction with the WALIS forum.

"Certainly, the WA spatial industry has clearly demonstrated excellence through the high number of awards and accolades it has received in recent years," the Minister said.

In each of the past two years, WA has won four of the six industry categories at these awards, in addition to several of the individual awards.