Aquaculture Spatial Information Product
Smart Solutions to Strengthen Queensland’s Aquaculture Industry
The Department of State Development has implemented state-of-the-art technology to provide an information tool to assist in the regional growth of Queensland’s aquaculture industry.
Site feasibility assessment for aquaculture ventures requires access to expensive, complex, site-specific information which is held by a range of organisations in many forms. CRAB provides a broad stakeholder group with access to a digital archive of spatial information to aid decision-making and promote new investment.
Sinclair Knight Merz was engaged to compile, integrate and analyse State-wide spatial information into an accurate and easily accessible format. The result was an online map server (based on customisation of ArcIMS and Cold Fusion technologies) designed to display information which assists in the process of site selection for aquaculture operations. This information includes:
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Planning or legislative constraints - represented by relevant legislation and government policy and are significant in effecting preferred site selection. The ability to display environmentally sensitive areas such as National Parks and Protected areas, Directory of Important Wetlands, Fish Habitat Areas, and other data such as local government zoning, heritage and other restricted zones, provides an immediate view of inappropriate areas.
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Environmental or technical constraints - characterised by environmental issues such as hydrology, topography, geology, ecology and climate. Technical issues include the proximity to the coast, estuaries, urban areas and major transport networks.
CRAB is available online to all relevant State government departments. The project will soon be extended to encompass sea cage aquaculture and further site-specific coastal information such as land holdings, aerial photography, satellite imagery, and topography.