Spatial Source

Screenshot of the World Settlement Footprint (WSF) Tracker platform The platform enables users to explore, analyse and download the dataset, while providing a range of tools to investigate how settlements have grown and changed, all at 10-metre resolution and with updates every six months. A key feature of the WSF Tracker is its ability to monitor urban expansion with greater spatial accuracy, higher frequency and shorter lead time between satellite observation and publication of the dataset.

A Bioeconomy Science Institute field crew member using SouthPAN for data capture. The Institute’s remit includes managing forest inventory, keeping track of pests and diseases, and supporting precision forestry operations. As accurate positioning is crucial for the Institute’s success, it wanted to see if SouthPAN could make a difference.

Left: Denise McKenzie. Right: Robin Beaman. Robin Beaman, senior research fellow and ocean mapping scientist at James Cook University has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the King’s 2026 Honours List. Beaman was awarded the AM for his service to ocean mapping, marine geology and geomorphology. Reflecting on the honour in a post made to LinkedIn, Beaman said that “The Chair of the Council for the Order of Australia spoke of recipients going ‘above and beyond.

(Click to enlarge) A Pelican image of Gotland in Sweden, taken on 7 May 2026 from an altitude of 515 kilometres. Credit: Planet Labs Pelican-11 will serve as a testbed for Planet’s second generation of Pelican Earth Observation satellites. The spacecraft is due for launch on the SpaceX Transporter-17 rideshare mission, no earlier than 30 July. While Planet’s first-generation Pelicans can capture 50cm-class imagery, the second generation will be able to image at 30cm resolution.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/jozsitoeroe The funding, from the Australian Government through the NCRIS program, will be used to help address challenges associated with urban climate and coastal development. The Australian Urban Climate Research Infrastructure (AUCRI) initiative is led by five National Research Infrastructure facilities (AURIN, ACCESS-NRI, TERN, PHRN and ARDC) and supported by key industry and government partners.

This year’s joint event will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 24 to 26 November. Locate has long been the premier annual gathering for the Australian and New Zealand geospatial community, bringing together experts from right across the sector. With only a little over five months to go, delegates are being encouraged to take advantage of the early bird registration rates, the cut-off date for which is 31 August.

Established in 2003, CQG is headquartered in Rockhampton and has offices in Gladstone, Mackay, Townsville and Brisbane. The addition of CQG’s team of more than 45 specialists has increased Beca’s Australian workforce to over 1,000 people. CQG offers a range of capabilities in GIS, environmental science, ecology and planning.

©stock.adobe.com/au/Cloudcatcher Media Advances in mapping are giving local governments and residents more information than ever before about the risk of flooding in particular areas. Newer flood mapping models can be a double-edged sword, with some properties ending in up what are marked as flood-prone areas, while others can have their flood risk downgraded.

Image: Vexcel Vexcel has announced plans for a 7.5cm aerial imagery program across the US, with the aim of extending it to Europe. Data collection in the US will begin in January 2027. The company currently offers 15cm-resolution data across the country.

Cairns will be the location for the FunGIS conference in August. Image credit: ©iStock.com/Caroline Brundle Bugge The volunteer-run, not-for-profit group will hold its 2026 FunGIS Conference in Cairns on 13 and 14 August 2026. The organisation is calling on geospatial professionals, companies and enthusiasts from across Australia to come along and help celebrate and preserve the rich history of GIS in northern Australia. The theme for the 2026 event will be ‘Past • Present • Future’.