The Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) manages a priceless collection of geoscientific data on behalf of all Western Australians. Stakeholders across industry, academia, government, and the community, trust this data; it is the key to the hidden mineral and energy resources potential of our State.
This will be achieved by:
- Aligning with the WA Government’s ICT Cloud Policy
- Utilising modern data structure and storage management options that allow adaptive responses to future technologies and demands
- Increasing connectivity between different GSWA datasets to improve data interrogation and sharing
- Enhancing the transformation of GSWA data into information discovery for business development and innovation opportunities
- Creating a unified and standardised framework that accommodates and manages GSWA data requirements
- Improving the user experience to include self-service capabilities
The Geoscience Data Transformation Strategy was published in January 2021. The Strategy set out the intention to transform, rationalise, and modernise the GSWA’s data collection. The Geoscience Data Transformation Program was established to make the intentions of the Strategy a reality. GDTP outcomes will be progressively released through 2026.
GDTP data framework
Show moreThe proposed GDTP data framework has five core elements:
1. Capture externally generated data that will be entered into GSWA systems via a single Lodgement Portal. Capture internally generated data that will be entered into GSWA systems through various applications.
2. Optimise data by applying a common structure, consistent metadata tags, and standardised naming conventions and definitions. Ensure data consistency for maximum integration, searching, and sharing, through quality assessments and error resolution.
3. Manage data in a secure, cloud-based, ‘data lake’ storage system that supports integration with our core applications.
4. Access raw and processed data in multiple formats for interrogation and analysis. Through the Discovery Portal for external users and the My Geology Portal for internal users.
5. Share data and information and use sophisticated tools and interpretative skills to identify new insights and opportunities for future development.
GDTP stakeholder engagement
Show moreGDTP stakeholder engagement
GDTP regularly engages its stakeholders to proactively consider the needs and desires of current and future GSWA data users. Outcomes will have a varying impact on internal and external stakeholders and interest levels are significant. GDTP stakeholder engagement is centred around these core values:
Diversity: to achieve diversity of perspectives, GDTP seeks to include as many sectors as possible across its broad and complex stakeholder base.
Access: GDTP will consider barriers to engagement including geographic location and physical and digital accessibility.
Frequency: communication will be measured, accurate, and timely to maintain a balance between keeping stakeholders informed and not contacting them unnecessarily.
In 2023, an External Reference Group (ERG) was raised to adequately consult and collaborate with stakeholders. Membership was curated to offer the most diverse coverage across the stakeholder base. ERG members feed into Focus Groups for more in-depth engagements.
Here are some presentation recordings that you can use to learn more about the program’s progress:
GSWA Webinar Series: Unlocking potential - GSWA’s world-class geoscience data
Big Day Out Kalgoorlie 2023: GDTP Introduction
GSWA Open Day 2023: Digitizing physical geoscience data for open access
GSWA Open Day 2023: Transforming our data – a journey to discovery
GSWA Open Day 2024 | Geoscience data relationship mapping through knowledge graphs
