An estimated fifty seven new Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) will be added to Victoria's Global Navigation Satellite System CORS network (GPSnet) over the next three years in a major upgrade to high-accuracy satellite positioning and navigation-based services throughout thestate.
Victoria will soon have a world class real-time high precision positioning system (GPSnet), providing cost savings and efficiencies for a broad range of industries state-wide. Victoria’s farmers will be key beneficiaries, with cost savings and productivity yields that will improve their national and global competitiveness.
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technology is increasingly being used for a range of high accuracy positioning and navigation applications. Applications include precision farming, construction, machine guidance, engineering, surveying and mapping. DSE’s cooperative network of CORS known as GPSnet, currently supports high accuracy users only in Melbourne and environs. The extension and densification of GPSnet means farmers and other industry users can simply connect to GPSnet via the internet, rather than having to purchase and manage their own GNSS base stations.
Following a period of extensive stakeholder consultation, DSE identified the need to support high accuracy GNSS positioning users in Regional Victoria to deliver sustainability and economic benefits. A study commissioned by DSE identified that access to high accuracy positioning through GPSnet would provide a gross economic benefit of $36 million annually over the next 20 years for precision farming in Victoria’s cropping districts alone.
With high accuracy satellite positioning infrastructure covering Victoria, government and industry can optimise their use of GNSS technology. Victoria’s water, transport and utility infrastructure programs will also benefit by using GPSnet. Multiple use and precise integration of collected data becomes standard throughout government and industry leading to cost effective upgrades to fundamental spatial information and the uptake of more efficient and modern methods of machine guidance and automation. When complete, GPSnet will consist of approximately 100 stations and improve autonomous satellite positioning accuracy from 10 to 20 metres to a nominal state-wide real-time horizontal accuracy of +/-2cm. More information about GPSnet can be viewed at www.land.vic.gov.au/GPSnet
ICN Victoria is working with the Department of Sustainability and Environment to identify capabilities of local companies that can add value to the project. Particular areas of interest include:
ØGNSS technology and spatial data handling ØCommunication systems and design ØInfrastructure design, manufacture and installation ØRemote power systems ØInnovation and new technologies of the above
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