This webinar is for Australian Local Government Staff only.
Accurate location data supports many local government functions, from mapping water assets and roads to improving field workflows, asset records, customer service and long-term planning. However, councils often need to balance accuracy, cost, usability, connectivity and the practical needs of field staff.
SouthPAN provides free access to satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) services for New Zealand and Australia where compatible equipment is used. It is designed to improve the accuracy and reliability of standard GPS and can provide an effective option for council teams that need sub-metre positioning without always needing professional-grade survey equipment or paid correction services.
This webinar will introduce SouthPAN and explain why it matters to local government. It will then share a practical case study from Central Otago District Council, which used SouthPAN L1 SBAS as a cost-effective option for everyday asset mapping across a large rural district. CODC found SouthPAN achieved sub-metre accuracy and was suitable for at least 75% of its mapping requirements.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where SouthPAN may fit in council workflows, what to check before adopting it, and how councils can start assessing its value for their own field operations.
To help us tailor the session, please email training@algim.org.nz with your answers to these quick questions:
1. How does your council currently capture location data for field work?
2. What is the biggest challenge your council faces with location data?
3. Which council workflows would benefit most from better positioning accuracy?
4. What would you like to learn most from this SouthPAN webinar?
About the Presenters:
Jeremy McKee
Hoa Kōtui Hononga / Relationship Partner – Customer Experience and Insights
Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand
Jeremy McKee is the Relationship Partner for SouthPAN at Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand, where he leads New Zealand’s engagement to support the uptake and benefits realisation of SouthPAN, a joint initiative between the New Zealand and Australian governments that is delivering a freely available satellite correction service.
Jeremy stepped into the role in 2023, bringing experience from across the public and technology sectors. He works closely with businesses, industry organisations, GNSS hardware manufacturers, suppliers and end users to understand the practical application and benefits of SouthPAN. His focus is on building meaningful relationships that help organisations apply SouthPAN’s precise positioning to improve operations, drive innovation and achieve better outcomes.
Tony Hollows
GIS Lead
Central Otago District Council
Tony Hollows is the GIS Lead at Central Otago District Council, bringing over 20 years of geospatial and infrastructure expertise to local government. Having previously managed large-scale international network and systems infrastructure in the UK, Tony specialises in bridging deep technical capability with practical council workflows. Recently, Tony led CODC’s real-world testing of the LINZ SouthPAN satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS), proving its ability to deliver 30–50 cm accuracy and its benefits for everyday public asset mapping.”
