AuScope

AuScope

AuScope Limited is a non-profit company formed to facilitate the implementation of a world-class infrastructure system for earth science through the delivery of a range of technologies and capabilities in data acquisition, management, modelling and simulation across the geospatial and geoscience spectrum.

AuScope was awarded $42.8 million in 2007 by the Australian Government under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) as Capability 5.13, “Structure and Evolution of the Australian Continent”, which brings together 23 participants including CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, 11 universities, and state government agencies. In addition to its NCRIS funding, over $70 million in co-investment has been committed by the participants in AuScope. Additionally, in 2010 AuScope was awarded $23 million under the Education Investment Fund (EIF) Round 3 to create a new Australian Geophysical Observing System (AGOS). AGOS will enable collection of new baseline data including surface geospatial and subsurface imaging and monitoring data, to provide an understanding of the physical state of the accessible crust of the Australian continent The Government’s $23 million investment is leveraging a further $82 million from the project partners. More information on the AGOS project can be accessed on the AGOS page.

The majority of the original investment is complete at June 2011, however parts of the programs will continue to receive support for ongoing operations and maintenance of the infrastructure.

Overall, AuScope has exceeded expectations in delivering on these goals and through the AGOS program will enhance the NCRIS infrastructure to provide new capability that focuses on new and emerging challenges such as geophysical energy issues.

Why AuScope was established

AuScope was built on the principle that simply acquiring the infrastructure and making it accessible to meritorious researchers was only part of the solution. The paradigm shift needed would come from harnessing, organising and providing ready access to the data, information and knowledge that result from use of the infrastructure. In turn, making the new data, information and knowledge available outside the research community will result in new and improved science, business, educational and policy applications.

Six components were identified that covered the main science and infrastructure delivery needs.

• AuScope grid and interoperability
• Earth composition and evolution
• National virtual core library
• Earth imaging and structure
• Earth simulation and modelling
• Geospatial framework and earth dynamics

A more detailed description of the infrastructure, available research opportunities and outcomes through each of the six components can be found on the individual component pages.

Vision and purpose

The organisation developed a vision statement identifying goals that underpin the work and direction of all the components.

‘A National Geoscience and Geospatial Infrastructure System to transform our Understanding of the Structure and Evolution of the Australian Continent’,

and a core purpose

‘To reveal new insights into the Australian Continent, through continually improving earth science infrastructure, to benefit the Australian community of the future’.

AuScope’s goals

• Establish AuScope Limited to support infrastructure development
• Provide AuScope infrastructure
• Transform our research capability through meeting researcher needs for:
  • ­Nationwide upgrade of the Geospatial Reference Frame
  • ­Clear and rich picture of Australia’s subsurface
  • ­Unlocking the composition of the top 1km
  • ­Characterising the nature of the deeper crust
  • ­Toolkit for data interrogation, simulation, modelling and inversion
• Provide seamless access through an Interoperable Grid
• Build a collaborative climate in AuScope
• Produce world class research outcomes for national benefit

AuScope has far exceeded expectations in delivering on these goals and through the AGOS program further progress will be achievable for many of the original individual components.

Governance and Management

AuScope is governed by a largely independent Board and is managed on a day-to-day basis by CEO Dr Bob Haydon from the AuScope Headquarters at the School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne. Each of the components had a Program Director as the first contact point for discussing access to the AuScope Infrastructure Projects. Program Directors are listed on each individual page and on the contacts page.

As part of the AuScope’s commitment to collaboration a TWiki was established (attached to this site and open to all) where working group discussions and project collaboration were developed. The AuScope Information System (AIM) for financial and project management is also linked to this site, available only to members.

AuScope Board

AuScope Members and Associate Members

• The Australian National University (ANU)
• Curtin University of Technology
• Macquarie University
• Monash University
• University of Adelaide
• University of Melbourne
• University of Queensland
• University of Sydney
• University of Tasmania
• University of Western Australia
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
• Geoscience Australia (GA)
• Victorian Government (Geoscience Victoria)
• Queensland Government (Geological Survey of Queensland; Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water)
• West Australian Government (Geological Survey of Western Australia; Landgate WA)
• New South Wales Government (Geological Survey of New South Wales; New South Wales Department of Lands)
• Tasmanian Government (Mineral Resources Tasmania; Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment)
• Northern Territory Government (Department of Planning, Infrastructure & Environment; Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Mines)
• South Australian Government (Primary Industries and Resources South Australia)

Access to AuScope Components

More information regarding the AuScope components can be found on the individual pages along with relevant contact details and downloadable support material. Information on how to access AuScope Infrastructure projects may be found on the Infrastructure Access page.

Last updated 16 August 2011