Historic aerial photographs of Perth available on CD ROM

3/6/97

Historic aerial photographs of Perth, together with remote features of Western Australia, are now available digitally on a unique CD ROM produced by the Department of Land Administration (DOLA).

The photographs capture forgotten features of Perth, such as the Barracks buildings previously behind the Barracks Arch, which were demolished in the 1960s to make way for the Mitchell Freeway.

Forty-year-old profile shots of Perth city from above the Swan River, spectacular shots of the world renowned Bungle Bungles and other pristine natural features of the State as far south as Albany, are also included.

Lands Minister Doug Shave today congratulated DOLA for producing the unique 'Aerial Scenes of Western Australia' CD ROM which is the latest in the department's award-winning 'PanAIRama' CD ROM series.

Last year DOLA won a Silver Award in competition with Government bodies from across the nation, for the PanAIRama product.

Mr Shave said that within two months, the 'PanAIRama' series would cover about one third of the State, including images of the Blackwood-Warren catchment in the South-West and the Eastern Goldfields.

Software to produce the series was developed by a private company under DOLA specifications and had been taken up by other land administration and government authorities across Australia and New Zealand.

'Aerial Scenes of Western Australia' has more than 400 photographs, both coloured and black and white.

"Cds in the series have been taken up by emergency authorities such as the Fire Brigade and Police Service, together with local government councils and even members of the public interested in unusual and beautiful photographs," Mr Shave said.

"This new CD is unique because aerial photographs are traditionally taken from on top of the subject area, while these are taken from an angle providing greater and more specific information.

"The CDs provide another collection of historic snap shots of how WA once was, together with more current photos.

"These shots are extremely useful for people involved in mapping, those requiring precise definitions of areas, or just collectors.

"The CD ROM format is very cost effective compared to buying individually printed aerial photos.

"DOLA's permission is required prior to any commercial use of the PanAIRama images."

The Minister said DOLA also produced tailor made CDs with aerial photographs of precise areas - a service which had been taken up by shires, environmental scientists studying Garden Island and the Midland Police.

Anyone interested in purchasing the new Aerial Scenes of Western Australia or any other CD ROMS in the PanAIRama series should contact DOLA's Central Map Agency on 9273 7209 for details of licensing and prices.

The Aerial Scenes of Western Australia disk and others cost $50. The three disk Perth series retails for $120.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 9366 0300