Key Takeaways
- The Otago Regional Council is undertaking a project to cover the entire Otago province with lidar (light detection and ranging) ground mapping.
- The Ministry for the Environment is contributing $1.2 million towards the project.
- Lidar mapping will improve ground elevation datasets and provide invaluable data for understanding and preparing for natural hazards, infrastructure management, hydrology, and catchment planning.
- The project will collate a further 23,000sq km of data, covering 72% of Otago, and will be completed in two to three years.
- The lidar mapping information will be made publicly available for anyone to use once it is captured and processed.
Introduction to Lidar Mapping
The Otago Regional Council is embarking on an ambitious project to cover the entire Otago province with lidar (light detection and ranging) ground mapping. This technology uses a beam of light sent from a device on a low-flying plane to measure land elevation, creating accurate elevation maps for large land areas. The Ministry for the Environment is contributing $1.2 million towards the project, which will complete the mapping for the entire province. According to Council natural hazards spatial analyst Andrew Welsh, Otago and parts of Fiordland were the only regions without full lidar coverage, making the ministry’s contribution invaluable in achieving full coverage across Otago soon.
Current Lidar Coverage in Otago
At present, there is approximately 10,200sq km of existing lidar data covering 28% of Otago. This coverage includes areas such as Dunedin and Mosgiel, the coast from the Waitaki River to the Catlins, parts of the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts, as well as the Clutha and Waitaki Rivers’ catchments. The new project will collate a further 23,000sq km of data, or 72% of Otago, which will be combined with the earlier flyover data to achieve 100% lidar coverage of the province. This comprehensive coverage will provide a detailed understanding of the province’s topography, enabling better planning and management of natural hazards, infrastructure, and resources.
Benefits of Lidar Mapping
The data generated by lidar mapping is invaluable in understanding and preparing for natural hazards such as flooding, erosion, or landslips. It also assists with infrastructure management, hydrology, and catchment planning. By providing accurate elevation data, lidar mapping enables authorities to identify areas prone to natural hazards and take proactive measures to mitigate their impact. Furthermore, the data will be made publicly available for anyone to use once it is captured and processed, allowing researchers, planners, and the general public to access and utilize this valuable information.
Project Timeline and Budget
The lidar mapping project is expected to be completed in two to three years, with budgeting for each year included in the council’s long-term plan. Flights have already begun around the southwest area, marking the beginning of the project. The Otago Regional Council has allocated sufficient resources to ensure the project’s successful completion, and the Ministry for the Environment’s contribution has been instrumental in making this project a reality. As the project progresses, the council will continue to work towards achieving its goal of providing comprehensive lidar coverage for the entire province.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The completion of the lidar mapping project will have significant implications for the management of natural hazards, infrastructure, and resources in Otago. With accurate elevation data, authorities will be better equipped to respond to natural disasters, plan infrastructure development, and manage water resources. The public availability of the lidar mapping information will also facilitate research and planning, enabling a more informed and collaborative approach to managing the province’s resources. As the project nears completion, the Otago Regional Council and the Ministry for the Environment can be commended for their efforts in bringing this vital project to fruition, and their commitment to providing a safer and more sustainable future for the people of Otago.