1. Introduction

The review of the Land Information System Tasmania (LIST) completed in August 2000 highlighted, under Recommendation 9, the issue of LIST supported applications. The recommendation stated that this issue be clarified at a policy and operational level.

The review of The LIST also highlighted the issue of organisations using the LIST web infrastructure to store and deliver their services and data products to their users (see Recommendation 10). In many instances, the delivery of third party data using the LIST infrastructure may also involve the development of specific applications. This policy will therefore also address this issue.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to state the principles under which the LIST Management Advisory Group (LMAG) will consider proposals for the development and hosting of LIST applications and data. Based on these principles the LMAG will make a recommendation on the proposal to the Land Information Coordination Committee (LICC).

3. Scope

The scope of this policy is in relation to

• the usage of LIST resources for the development and hosting of LIST applications, and
• the use of LIST infrastructure by organisations to host and deliver their services or data to their clients.

‘those resources, either physical, financial or human, that are utilised by The LIST.’

The Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, as the lead agency for The LIST, is the main supplier of LIST resources. It is important to recognise that these resources are not used exclusively by The LIST.

LIST applications can be defined as,

‘a computer generated function that undertakes analysis of integrated LIST data and retrieves, manipulates and presents this derived information in a specialised format’

Typically, these applications meet the needs of a specific client or client group and may not be accessible to other users.

The function of sharing and distributing LIST data is not considered to be an application. Software that is used to store, manage, update or distribute data, or provide simple browser access is essential LIST infrastructure and is not considered to be an application under this policy.

LIST hosting can be defined as,

‘organisations using The LIST infrastructure to store and deliver their services and products to their clients’.

Typically, the hosted information or services meet the needs of a specific client or client group and may not be accessible to other users.

4. Background Information

This policy has been developed in consideration of the LISTs core business and in response to national policy developments in relation to applications developed by Government and Government hosting of data.

LIST Core Business

The core business of The LIST is encapsulated in the vision as stated in the LICC Strategic Plan (July 1999),

The principal role of The LIST is to deliver land information as an essential element of Tasmania’s development infrastructure.

It provides a one stop shop in relation to core land information for all Tasmanians.

Industry Context

One of the major impediments to growth in the commercial spatial information industry, identified in a discussion paper (An Australian Spatial Information Industry, Discussion Paper, July 2000), prepared by ANZLIC, included governments in the supply chain either as technology providers or service providers.

An alternative view is that government does have a role to stimulate and develop Spatial Information Industry through provision of key infrastructure and support services. This may be necessary in instances of market failure or to address other areas of public good.

In recognition of these competing views this policy will need to balance the role of The LIST as a land information delivery agent on behalf of government with supporting the further development of a commercial spatial industry in Tasmania.

5. Principles

In preparing these policy principles the LICC acknowledge the core business of The LIST, as stated in the Strategic Plan (1999), is to make land information available to all Tasmanians that supports economic growth and meets their social, research and environmental needs.

The LICC also recognises that applications, which may use LIST data, should primarily be supported by the organisation with the business imperative. These organisations should be responsible for the development, acquisition, resourcing and management of their applications.

The LICC acknowledges that undue government involvement in the spatial industry may impede the commercial spatial industry and will attempt to assist the development of this industry through this policy and other LICC policies.

Applications

• Utilising LIST resources for the development of LIST applications for government or non-government clients is not consistent with this policy.
• The LICC should encourage and facilitate the development of LIST applications by other organisations by ensuring that LIST data and delivery infrastructure is meeting client expectations.

• Hosting State Government non-LIST data and applications on The LIST infrastructure must not be detrimental to The LISTs core business or resources (either immediately or in the long term) and be in accordance with government policy and at the discretion of DPIWE.
• Hosting non-LIST data on behalf of non-Government parties is inconsistent with this policy.
• The LICC should encourage and facilitate government and non-government clients to host and access their data through their own systems with access to The LIST data via on line access, replication, bulk downloads or other means.

It is proposed that this policy will be implemented by

• Any proposal for application or data hosting on The LIST infrastructure will be accompanied by a statement from the LIST delivery agent outlining any effects on LIST functionality which includes data accessibility and future data capacities. The proposal from the data supplier and the statement from the LIST delivery agent will assessed by LMAG.
• The LICC will be required to authorise all future requests for application or data hosting on The LIST infrastructure in accordance with the principles stated and any other related LICC policies.
• The LICC will develop a Marketing Plan and Spatial Data Distribution Model to facilitate the usage of LIST data and the development of applications by other private and public organisations.

This policy is subject to review at the request of the Land Information Coordination Committee.