Team Name

CeRDI-fied

Team Members

Project Description

Team CeRDIfy

Our Team

• Daniel Ferguson - Team leader & developer
• Dr. Angela Neyland - GIS expert & video editor
• Dr. Basharat Ali - Researcher
• Chris Bahlo - Overall ninja (actually a knight)
• Derek Walters - Researcher

Innovative Land Index (ILI)

The Innovative Land Index (ILI) is a proof of concept of how a holistic data-driven approach could be used to make better future planning decisions for land zoning. This focuses on providing an index based on soil characterstics, rainfall and the distance from the major urban centres of farmland and therefore their relative importance to preserve into the future.

Methodology

For full documentation of the method of analysing and interpreting the data, to exporting the final raster please see our GitHub ReadMe which includes images and references to data sets in use.

Website

Another great resource is our website, which outlines research on considered variables/topics, limitations of the proof of concept, future directions and more. Also - have a play with the interactive map of the index while you're there!

Nominated Awards

National - Waterwise

Water planning across Queensland is complicated, involving over 300 surface water supplies and almost 180 river systems across the Great Artesian Basin. Water permits, quality treatment, bores, spring monitoring, urban management and native title considerations all complicate the sustainable management and planning of this vital resource. The water plan framework is designed to help manage this system, however inevitably planning decisions will be biased towards competing interests, such as environmental aspects, growing urbanisation or National Parks.

The Innovative Land Index (ILI) we have created is designed to encompass all the aspects of planning and management, producing a map that better informs the planning process. Water planning often involves environmental, groundwater, surface water and intended use interaction. There is often little consideration given to the complication provided through farming activity, social requirements, pollution impact, salinity increases (or encroachment) or climate change. These aspects are usually considered either in isolation, or alongside a couple of other requirements.

A systems approach, which incorporates as many data sets and stakeholders as possible, will provide a holistic viewpoint that enables planners to make more informed decisions. ILI aims to bring together as many aspects as possible involved within the water environment. Applying these raster data sets to the Queensland Global spatial portal is one example of how the ILI could easily be incorporated into the Water Planning process in Queensland.

National - Innovative ways to be efficient with water

Australian water management authorities (DELWP, Water.WA, SA.Water, Hunter Water, Melbourne Water and others) all share a similar approach to address water management. The current water management system is facing too many issues such as urban growth, economics, environmental degradation or improvement, social implications and cultural diversity
Globally, there are a number of systems and innovative approaches to address water management issues. Currently, California, Mexico and South Africa are using innovative approaches incorporating education of both water users and planning officials to aid with water management. The education of the public domain as well as management planning inspired our team to develop a holistic systems management tool that incorporates as many aspects as possible.

The Innovative Land Index (ILI) tool we have designed, encompasses many aspects of planning and management, producing a map that visually educates and informs both the community and planning. Water often involves environmental, groundwater, surface water and intended use interaction. There is often little consideration given to the complication provided through farming activity, social requirements, pollution impact, salinity increases (or encroachment) or climate change. These aspects are usually considered either in isolation, or alongside a couple of other requirements.

A systems approach, which incorporates as many data sets and stakeholders as possible, will provide a holistic viewpoint that better educates the public and enables planners to make more informed decisions. ILI aims to bring together as many aspects as possible involved within the water environment. Applying these raster data-sets to the state water portals (e.g. SA Water, Water.Vic and Water.WA) is one example of how the ILI could easily be incorporated into the water educational and planning processes in Australia.

Regional - Visualising the soil quality of Victoria

We have created the Innovative Land Index (ILI) tool, which can help farmers and other agricultural decision makers in selecting land based on suitability for agriculture. It can also help regional and town planners to identify areas of potential high agricultural production value to take into consideration when making zoning decisions in relation to urban development. It can also inform the community’s interest in the concept of reducing 'food miles' both in terms of reducing the environmental impact of food transportation as well as providing the community access to the freshest local food. This will happen with better town planning practices informed by data.

To achieve this, we have used the Agriculture Victoria Soils API to obtain variables such as pH, soil organic carbon, and electrical conductivity were used. Additional datasets included in the project are: planning scheme zones from Vicmap Planning, land use from Victorian Land Use Information System 2016-2017, average rainfall from the Bureau of Meteorology and soil water capacity from the Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Available Water Capacity (3" resolution) - Release 1. The OpenstreetMap API was also used.

International - Optimise energy and water resource planning

Water resource management in Australia is complex. Current planning often overlooks factors such as urban growth versus agricultural needs, economics, environmental degradation or improvement, social implications, and cultural diversity. These aspects should all be addressed within the planning and management framework of water and other resources.
Globally, there are a number of systems and innovative approaches to address water management issues. Currently, California, Mexico and South Africa are using innovative approaches incorporating education of both water users and planning officials to aid with water management. The need for a holistic systems water resource management approach inspired our team to develop a tool that incorporates as many aspects as possible.
The Innovative Land Index (ILI) tool we have designed, encompasses many aspects of planning and management, producing a map that visually educates and informs both the community and planning. Water often involves environmental, groundwater, surface water and intended use interaction. There is often little consideration given to the complication provided through farming activity, social requirements, pollution impact, salinity increases (or encroachment) or climate change. These aspects are usually considered either in isolation, or alongside a couple of other requirements.

A systems approach, which incorporates as many data sets and stakeholders as possible, will provide a holistic viewpoint enabling efficient planning (eg reducing transport costs) and to make more informed decisions. ILI aims to bring together as many aspects as possible involved within the water environment and has the potential to included additional layers relating to transport and water supply as well as other aspects.

Data Story

We have created the Innovative Land Index (ILI) tool, which can help farmers and other agricultural decision makers in selecting land based on suitability for agriculture. It can also help regional and town planners to identify areas of potential high agricultural production value to take into consideration when making zoning decisions in relation to urban development. It can also inform the community’s interest in the concept of reducing 'food miles' both in terms of reducing the environmental impact of food transportation as well as providing the community access to the freshest local food. This will happen with better town planning practices informed by data.

To achieve this, we have used the Agriculture Victoria Soils API to obtain variables such as pH, soil organic carbon, and electrical conductivity were used. Additional datasets included in the project are: planning scheme zones from Vicmap Planning, land use from Victorian Land Use Information System 2016-2017, average rainfall from the Bureau of Meteorology and soil water capacity from the Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Available Water Capacity (3" resolution) - Release 1. The OpenstreetMap API was also used.