The Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) is the lead agency for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in Queensland.

• NRW and GNSS 
• NRW's GNSS objectives 
• European Satellite Navigation Competition 2008: Australian Challenge 
• Further information  

NRW and GNSS

GNSS is an umbrella term that incorporates all satellite positioning systems including the existing United States GPS, and Russian GLONASS systems, and a number that are under development. GNSS is a significant enabling technology for NRW and is used for a range of field activities, including, but not limited to:

• surveying and mapping
• monitoring compliance activities such as illegal tree clearing
• locating problems such as pest infestations.

GNSS combines satellite and ground infrastructure and user equipment to determine geographic positions on earth. It is used in many diverse applications to determine positions all over Queensland.

NRW's use of GNSS began in 1985 when the first Global Positioning System (GPS) survey was undertaken in Queensland.

See the GNSS systems development page for more information.

NRW's GNSS objectives

NRW's Geospatial Technology Applications Centre (GTAC) has been established to coordinate the department's lead agency role in GNSS.  Its objectives are:

• To ensure NRW (in terms of infrastructure and applications) benefits optimally from new geospatial technologies, such as the next generation GNSS, and that NRW's management is advised on the strategies, standards and policies required to achieve this objective.
• To develop and secure NRW's whole-of-government responsibilities as Queensland's lead agency in geospatial activities.
• To liaise across the geospatial industry, including key government, private and research organisations that are involved in the development of geospatial technologies and related infrastructure, doing so in accordance with Smart State principles.
• To develop communications and awareness mechanisms for new geospatial technologies for the Queensland Government and industry, and ensure that training programs covering new geospatial technologies are available to NRW, the Queensland Government and industry.

In accordance with NRW's Geospatial Reference Framework Policy, the department operates a number of permanent GNSS reference stations in south-east Queensland, which are used to provide the SunPOZ (PDF, 305 kB)* service.

European Satellite Navigation Competition 2008: Australian Challenge

The Queensland Government is coordinating the Australian Challenge region of the European Satellite Navigation Competition 2008—Europe’s largest network for satellite navigation.

Entries for the Australian Challenge have now closed and judging has commenced.

Read more about the competition.

For further information on NRW's role in GNSS

For more information about NRW's role in GNSS see Satellite Positioning in Queensland (PDF, 87 kB)*, or visit the links below:

• System Developments
• Applications
• Systems
• GNSS Industry in Queensland
• Events.

For NRW's role in surveying in Queensland see Surveying in NRW.

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