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Geography

OBJECTIVES

The key objective of the Geography program is to provide geospatial leadership in the statistical production process.

The specific objectives for the program are to:

• improve the integration of statistical and spatial information through the development and implementation of a Statistical Spatial Framework (SSF) and engagement with producers and users of statistical information within ABS, the national statistical system, and internationally
• develop and apply geospatial capability, standards and processes, particularly with the ABS Statistical Business Transformation program, to improve the collection, production, dissemination and integration of spatial statistics
• provide geospatial data management, infrastructure, geographic analysis, mapping and geospatial services.

• engagement activities with various users and producers to provide opportunities to share information, provide input to, and encourage adoption of the SSF, Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) and other geospatial tools, data and technologies
• documentation and supporting material for the SSF, including the framework, which is available on the National Statistical Service website
• the publication of ASGS, a statistical geography standard that includes the geographic boundary and code definitions provided as ABS geospatial web services
• a statistical geography web portal that provides information on geographic classifications and supporting information, and a web based mapping tool to visualise ABS geography
• final enumeration geographies for the 2016 Census of Population and Housing
• maintenance of the ABS Master Spatial Database, including incorporation of Public Sector Mapping Agencies data, including the Geocoded National Address File
• enterprise geospatial capabilities, including network analysis, geospatial visualisation and corporate solutions for address coding, address matching and validation
• geospatial capability and support services for the execution of statistical programs including the Census of Population and Housing, the Carbon Farming Initiative and production of environmental accounts.

• review the scope and effectiveness of the 2011 ASGS and revise it for 2016 - due mid 2016
• further develop and promote the SSF within all levels of Australian governments, nationally and internationally - ongoing
• in collaboration with the Department of Communications, contribute to the improvement of the National Foundation Spatial Data Framework by leading work on the Administrative Boundaries Theme - ongoing
• contribute to the ABS Statistical Business Transformation program, particularly by integrating the ASGS and broader geospatial capabilities into the new foundation infrastructure - ongoing
• continue to develop new geospatial techniques and data sources to support statistical production, especially for the Population and Agricultural Censuses and Environmental Accounts - ongoing.