Remote sensing

Remote sensing scientists use data from satellites, airborne sensors and ground-based platforms to map and monitor Queensland’s landscape.

They look at imagery of groundcover, land use, vegetation change, fire scars and water bodies across the state.

The centre also undertakes leading-edge research to improve existing monitoring programs and develop new applications. Research is undertaken in partnership with universities, as well as other Australian and overseas agencies.

What is remote sensing used for?

Policy and planning

The imagery and derived datasets are used to support policy and planning initiatives, including:

• statutory regional planning
• the agricultural land audit
• the Vegetation Management Act 1999
• the rural leasehold land strategy
• the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Protection Plan and Reef Protection Program.

Resource management

The wider community has increasingly recognised remote sensing as an extremely useful tool for resource management. Our imagery, maps and datasets are used for example by regional natural resource management groups, industry groups, research agencies and local government.

Land management

Landholders are also using the imagery and digital datasets for planning, risk assessment and for their day-to-day decision making with regards to land management.