Opening of the 1999 WA Land Information System forum

31/3/99
Western Australia's continued leadership in land information data management is vital to the State's economy, according to Lands Minister Doug Shave.
Opening the 1999 WALIS (Western Australian Land Information System) Forum in Perth this morning, Mr Shave said technology, specifically satellites and the Internet, was creating new opportunities for the land information sector.
"However, technology is also creating a very competitive environment with many players vying for business," he said.
The same technology which had helped WA to become a sector leader now enabled other land data providers to enter the market.
"New competitors offer new and advanced information bases and don't even have to be in WA or Australia. Competition is global."
As a leader in land management data, WA faced many challenges. One was to stay ahead by being innovative and daring.
"Land information data collection and distribution is big business. Companies and organisations pay tens of millions of dollars annually for such information to use in strategy planning. If WA can maintain its position as a leader the financial benefits are obvious."
Mr Shave said the State Government had a fundamental role to play in many areas and that there were services which only the Government can - and should - provide, such as the registration and maintenance of land titles.
Partnerships between Government agencies and the private sector had also proved successful and should be encouraged.
"Partnership examples include several large scale land management projects in Asia in which the Department of Land Administration (DOLA) has been involved," Mr Shave said.
(Note: Richard Neville, editor of the 60s satirical magazine Oz, will address the WALIS forum on preparing for the new millenium)

Media contacts: John Clune (Minister's Office) 9213 6500
Robin Piesse (DOLA) 9273 7037