THE NSW COASTAL INFORMATION SYSTEM - BUILDING A SYSTEM TO DELIVER COASTAL INFORMATION TO USERS

The Coastal Information System was conceived as a project in late 2010. It was originally devised as a knowledge management tool to provide easier access to coastal data, reports and information and to assist in succession planning in anticipation of retirement of key staff. The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) holds in excess of 30 years of coastal data and knowledge that has been accumulated over time. This data is made available on request, but it is has been recognised that a large amount of valuable information is held as non-digital assets and much of this material is not easily accessible. With the emergence of spatially enabled web-based technology, the potential for making this data available to the public to assist and inform decision making was recognised. With increasing emphasis on availability of information and data through open government initiatives, the Coastal Information System aims to provide coastal communities, local councils and government agencies with easier access to OEH’s coastal information and provide a better understanding of the coastal environment. A key aspect of the project is the development of a standalone web portal showcasing OEH information, datasets, reports and photos, to be called the NSW Coastal Explorer. The Coastal Explorer will include an intuitive web-map interface that will allow easy public access to coastal hazard data and other coastal information. This is intended to provide easy public access to information and documents that will be drawn from larger, more comprehensive data sets that are held in the Coastal Information System. It will make key data and information available to local government and the broader community to help inform decision making and ensure that OEH is transparent and accountable about the information it holds.