17 June 2005

A Greater Regional View from Above

Auckland's Councils will have access to aerial imagery with the accuracy and precision of a topographical map covering the entire Auckland region, including the Hauraki Gulf as the result of an agreement signed today.

The agreement to create the imagery was signed between New Zealand's leading mapping company Terralink International, New Zealand Aerial Mapping/Fugro and a consortium of local authorities in the Auckland region including Auckland Regional Council, Manukau City Council, Auckland City Council, Waitakere City Council and North Shore City Council.

"What is special about this agreement is that Auckland's Councils will have for the first time a complete region-wide view of our terrain and the features on it," said Colin Dale, Chair of the Auckland Regional CEO Forum and Sponsor of the Regional Shared Services Programme.

The deal involves the use of LIDAR (laser-based imaging of contours) and orthoimagery over a 3-5 year time frame.

"We have view of the whole region, including the Hauraki Gulf islands, limiting the assumptions we have had to make in the past in our decision making process.

"With a standard specification across the region and the ability to gather data far quicker we can now see the immediate impact of development on the entire environment. Development and growth in one city has always had an effect on other cities now we have a tool that enables decision-makers and planners to see the effects on a far wider scale than before.

"By putting together a regional consortium we have saved ratepayers over $1million and enabled a greater level of informed decision-making to the benefit of all those who choose to live in the wider Auckland region", Colin Dale said.

Mike Donald, Managing Director of Terralink International said more accurate aerial imagery would lead to better-informed regional planning.

"Aerial imagery with the added precision of lidar will bring far greater accuracy to development decision making in the Auckland region", Mr Donald said.

"It will allow planners to build accurate visual representations of the spread of growth and its impact on the environment. These will be invaluable tools for the public and planners alike to make better predictions about the potential impact of new development. The end result will be far better-informed planning decisions."

ENDS