Dr WOODRUFF - I wrote to the Chair of TasNetworks recently about the vegetation mapping that's being carried out by Virtual Twin Tas, which is the joint venture between Enzen and TasNetworks' subsidiary 42-24. I understand Virtual Tas has completed about 60 per cent of the mapping of Tasmania and is going to finish the rest of the mapping over its 10-year contract. Is this the only mapping that's being undertaken by TasNetworks, or are other mapping projects underway?
Mr McGOLDRICK - Chair, I will take that. First of all, thank you for your interest and writing to us on 13 November. We did provide a response, which I hope was informative.
With respect to this mapping that we're talking about here, it's the most comprehensive that has ever been done in Tasmania, but of course we're a large business with large needs and lots of infrastructure, so we have different systems that we use and some of them we tap into state-based actors, some we use other providers. I'm hoping over time we'll rationalise all of it into one platform. For example, we use net maps with different databases, with geosystems, we map different things, we have photogrammetry maps. We use a range of different data to work out where our assets are and what we need to do with them.
This is a much more dynamic system in that it's a comprehensive view of our assets in Tasmania, and we'll do it every year so we can see how things change. That will allow us then to work with our contractors who are providing vegetation clearance services to make sure we're focusing our vegetation clearance in areas where we get the biggest bang for our buck. That will allow us a much more detailed interaction.
We have used other systems in the past, we've continued to use systems, but eventually, over time, this new philosophy and approach of developing a digital twin for the island will be most useful, not just for this business but for many other businesses, both public and private, in Tasmania.
Dr WOODRUFF - Thank you. Who are some of the other entities TasNetworks is conducting this mapping and data capture with?
Mr McGOLDRICK - We carry out the data capture as part of a joint venture. Virtual Tas is a joint venture between 42-24 -
Dr WOODRUFF - Enzen and 42-24.
Mr McGOLDRICK - Exactly, yes. So that's the vehicle. There are a number of a parties. We gather all of that information and data, fly the island and put it into a model. There are a number of parties who are very interested in using that information and who we are in active conversations with, including various communities who are concerned about bushfires and disasters, councils, forestry companies and various different entities. A wide range of people is interested in this and we are in active negotiation with some of them. TasNetworks is a foundation customer that allows this capture to occur, because we have big needs in this area.
Dr WOODRUFF - Are those entities other government businesses as well as private businesses?
Mr McGOLDRICK - There is a mixture.
Dr WOODRUFF - Sustainable Timbers Tasmania? Parks and Wildlife?
Mr McGOLDRICK - I am not sure about Parks and Wildlife, but we are certainly in conversation with Sustainable Timbers Tasmania.
Dr WOODRUFF - I understand that one of the purposes of the Virtual Tas mapping is to improve risk management and safety of transmission infrastructure with respect to crops and vegetation. Is this use of the mapping technology to be in addition to TasNetworks' move to replace helicopter inspection processes with drones, or is it meant to be complementary? How will they work together?
Mr McGOLDRICK - It certainly will be complementary. For example, this gives us a comprehensive view, but we may need to carry out some detailed inspections on particular assets if concern is raised about them during this overall process.
Heretofore if we had a concern about a particular asset we would send a human being out there with cameras and various pieces of equipment to climb the pole and check it out. That is an arduous task and it can be remote and difficult country. What we are moving towards now is more automation in that regard, including using helicopters, but even moving away from helicopters towards using drones. We use humans and helicopters at the moment to varying degrees. We are moving towards drones so that we can have far faster and safer inspection of our assets. We will be using these complementarily between the two of them.
Dr WOODRUFF - I have heard good things about this collection and also some potential criticisms about the quality of the data that is collected. Could you explain what the resolution is and what the independent verification of the methodology is, whether it is being reported, published research, peer-reviewed research?
Mr McGOLDRICK - As an infrastructure provider, we own many critical assets for the state. We want to make very sure of the quality of the data is correct. When we get the data into Tas Networks from Virtual Tas, a quality assessment process takes place.
Dr WOODRUFF - On-ground validation?
Mr McGOLDRICK - Including on-ground validation, but also using independent providers who have alternative services. We check the data against them and correct if necessary. It is a highly technical area but occasionally when you are flying you can get the edges incorrect, and we have to get the modelling right on that.
We have largely proofed this data set and I am very comfortable to report to you that the resolution is exceptional. We have 4-centimetre resolution on data at the ground level and we can get a number of different data points from the aeroplane right the way down.
Dr WOODRUFF - Chair, possibly through you, Mr Gill to Mr McGoldrick, on virtual TAS data mapping again. One of the applications is to support the Disaster SMART Tasmanian Communities Project that aims to provide insight into disaster risk and consequences. There is a number of councils that are already involved in the project: Hobart, Kingborough, Clarence, Derwent Valley, Huon Valley, Brighton and Glenorchy. I understand from the map that I've seen that about 60 per cent of the state has been covered so far. Why haven't the other councils been involved other than the Southern councils in this Disaster SMART Communities work at the moment.
Mr McGOLDRICK - This is federal government grant campaign so it's the federal government preparing Australian Communities Grant Program that we are participating in - we, being Virtual Tas. An element of the project includes access to Virtual Tas digital twin platform and data for use by cross-sectoral stakeholders developing deeper insights into disaster risk and consequences, lining up water supply with electricity supply in the middle of a disaster such as a bushfire. We're very happy to have that program expanded. I understand there is some conversation around that going on at the moment. We're a very willing participant of this and we think we have a lot to bring but it's not something we're in control of as an entity. We just participate to aim response to calls for participation through the Disaster SMART Tasmanians communities but I can't speak to what other councils other than the ones you've listed aren't participating.
Dr WOODRUFF - Some of the Disaster SMART communities' applications were funded by STT, I understand, including a digital elevation model and some tree height mapping and condition information relating to roads, tracks, and fire breaks. Has TasNetworks had any discussions with STT about using this data to assist with the identification of state's big trees?
Mr McGOLDRICK - Again, a matter of clarity. This is a Virtual Tas initiative. I understand conversations are ongoing. We certainly have the capability to identify big trees. Whether there is the interest from STT or any other forestry companies or other companies at all in this, I am not clear at the moment. I know we have the capability in a data sense to map the big trees and the canopies associated with them.
Dr WOODRUFF - I also understand it can identify the carbon intensity in particular trees or in forest communities.
Mr McGOLDRICK - Yes it can.
Dr WOODRUFF - Has there been any conversation between Virtual Tas and STT about using that mapping data to assess carbon intensity of the reserve estate?
Mr McGOLDRICK - I am not clear on that.
Dr WOODRUFF - Could I take that on notice?
Mr McGOLDRICK - Yes, I am happy to take that on notice.
