This report presents key results from the Upper Burdekin Groundwater Project conducted as part of Exploring for the Future (EFTF)—an eight year Australian Government funded geoscience data and information acquisition program. The first four years of the Program (2016–20) aimed to better understand the potential mineral, energy and groundwater resources in northern Australia. The Upper Burdekin Groundwater Project focused on the McBride Basalt Province (MBP) and Nulla Basalt Province (NBP) in the Upper Burdekin region of North Queensland. It was undertaken as a collaborative study between Geoscience Australia and the Queensland Government. This document reports the key findings of the project, as a synthesis of the hydrogeological investigation project and includes maps and figures to display the results.

<div>The Lacepede Channel bathymetry survey was acquired for the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) onboard the MV Pacific Conquest and USV Blue Shadow - 901 during the period 19 May 2021 – 22 Sep 2021. This was a contracted survey conducted for the Australian Hydrographic Office by Fugro as part of the Hydroscheme Industry Partnership Program. The survey area encompases an area in Lacepede Channel, Western Australia. Bathymetry data was acquired using a Kongsberg EM2040 Mk II, and processed using Caris Hips & Sips processing software. The dataset was then exported as a 30m resolution, 32 bit floating point GeoTIFF grid of the survey area.</div><div>This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.</div>

<div>The Geological and Bioregional Assessment Program collected an extensive LiDAR elevation dataset focused on Cooper Creek Floodplain in Queensland and South Australia. The LiDAR data was collected by Fugro Australia Ltd in two aerial surveys in 2019 covering a total survey area of 31,780 km2 across the Cooper Creek Floodplain, and the Thomson and Barcoo river systems (GBA 2021). The data was acquired at an average density of 1 point per square metre, processed and compiled as LiDAR Classified Data in LAS 1 km tiles and 1 m grid DEM in ESRI ascii 1 km tiles. As part of the study of the <em>Cenozoic geology, hydrogeology and groundwater systems of Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre Basin</em> for the National Groundwater Systems project (Exploring for the Future program) (see Evans et al. 2024) these 1 km tiles were mosaiced into a seamless grid and resampled to 10 m cell resolution raster images for ease of visualisation and usability across GIS applications (refer to lineage field of this metadata record for the complete reference details of publications cited in this abstract).</div>

The Australian Bathymetry and Topography (AusBathyTopo) Torres Strait dataset contains depth and elevation data compiled from all available data within the Torres Strait into a 30 m-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The Torres Strait lies at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), the largest coral reef ecosystem on Earth, and straddles the Arafura Sea to the west and the Coral Sea to the east. The Torres Strait area is bounded by Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Bathymetry mapping of this extensive reef and shoal system is vital for the protection of the Torres Strait allowing for the safe navigation of shipping and improved environmental management. Over past ten years, deep-water multibeam surveys have revealed the highly complex continental slope canyons in deeper Coral Sea waters. Shallow-water multibeam surveys conducted by the US-funded Source-to-Sink program revealed the extensive Fly River delta deposits. Airborne LiDAR bathymetry acquired by the Australian Hydrographic Office cover most of the Torres Strait and GBR reefs, with coverage gaps supplemented by satellite derived bathymetry. The Geoscience Australia-developed National Intertidal DIgital Elevation Model (NIDEM) improves the source data gap along Australia’s vast intertidal zone. We acknowledge the use of the CSIRO Marine National Facility (https://ror.org/01mae9353 ) in undertaking this research.” The datasets used were collected by the Marine National Facility on 13 voyages (see Lineage for identification). All source bathymetry data were extensively edited as point clouds to remove noise, given a consistent WGS84 horizontal datum, and where possible, an approximate MSL vertical datum. The 30 m-resolution grid is a fundamental dataset to underpin marine habitat mapping, and can be used to accurately simulate water mixing within a whole-of-GBR scale hydrodynamic model. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.

The Bass Strait Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a compilation of all available bathymetry data for the area of seabed between the coastlines of Victoria and northern Tasmania, extending approximately 460 km from west of King Island to east of Flinders Island. The Bass Strait is bounded by a continental slope incised with numerous canyons, including the prominent Bass Canyon on the eastern side. The region encompasses islands and exposed rocks, drowned paleo-shorelines and dunefields, fringed by a rugged coastline. Bathymetry mapping of the seafloor is vital for the protection of Bass Strait, allowing for safe navigation of shipping, improved environmental management and resource development. Australian Hydrographic Office-supplied ENC tile spot depths were used to develop the general bathymetry variation across the entire region. Shallow- and deep-water multibeam survey data reveal the complexity of the seafloor for the continental shelf and adjacent canyons which incise the western and eastern sides of Bass Strait. Airborne LiDAR bathymetry acquired by the Australian Hydrographic Office cover most of the northern Tasmanian nearshore and coast, with some coverage gaps supplemented by Landsat-8 satellite derived bathymetry data. The Geoscience Australia-developed Intertidal Elevation Model DEM improves the source data over the intertidal zone. Highly accurate photogrammetry coastline data developed for the Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales coastlines, and Near Surface Feature data representing shoal features observable in aerial imagery, were used to improve the land/water interface of the numerous island and rock features. All source bathymetry data were extensively edited as 3D point clouds to remove noise, given a consistent WGS84 horizontal datum, and where possible, an approximate MSL vertical datum.<p><p>This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.

<div>The AusBathyTopo 250m (Australia) 2024 Grid is a national-scale depth model for Australia that replaces the AusBathyTopo 250m (Australia) 2023 Grid.</div><div><br></div><div>This publication is the result of a collaborative partnership between Geoscience Australia, the Australian Hydrographic Office, James Cook University, and the University of Sydney. It has been compiled using 1456 unique data sources from multibeam echosounders, single-beam echosounders, LiDAR, 3D seismic first returns, Electronic Navigation Charts and satellite derived bathymetry alongside higher-resolution regional compilations. In particular, the map incorporates new innovations such as the use of earth observation data (satellite based) produced by Digital Earth Australia to improve shallow coastal depth modelling to present a seamless transition between land and sea. All source bathymetry data were extensively edited as 3D point clouds to remove noise, given a consistent WGS84 horizontal datum, and where possible, an approximate MSL vertical datum. This new continental-scale grid represents decades of data collection, analysis, investment and collaboration from Australia’s seabed mapping community and is a significant improvement on the 2009 and 2023 compilations.</div><div><br></div><div>The data extends across a vast area from 92°E to 172° E and 8°S to 60° S. This includes areas adjacent to the Australian continent and Tasmania, and surrounding Macquarie Island and the Australian Territories of Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Australia's marine jurisdiction offshore from the territory of Heard and McDonald Islands and the Australian Antarctic Territory are not included.</div><div><br></div><div>Acknowledgements: </div><div>* CSIRO Marine National Facility (https://ror.org/01mae9353 ) in undertaking this research. The datasets used were collected by the Marine National Facility on 81 voyages (see Lineage for identification).</div><div>* Australian Hydrographic Office. Over 840 datasets contributed to this compilation</div><div><br></div><div>This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.</div>

The Vegetation Structure classes dataset was derived from Vegetation Height Model (VHM) and Fractional Cover Model (FCM) LiDAR products. The National Vegetation Information System framework was used to classify vegetation height and canopy/cover density into (sub-)stratum, growth forms, and structural formation classes. The classifications contain descriptions and spatial extents of the vegetation types for the East Kimberley LiDAR survey area. The displayed classifications include 19 dominant structural formation classes, and 43 dominant sub-structural formation classes for lower-, mid-, and upper stratum. High resolution LiDAR imagery, including Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Canopy Height Model (CHM), Vegetation Height Model (VHM), Vegetation Cover Model (VCM) and Fractional Cover Model (FCM) surfaces were acquired for the East Kimberley area in June 2017. All the data were released in 2019 (Geoscience Australia, 2019). For the purposes of vegetation structure mapping, the two input datasets were resampled, classified and combined to produce a vegetation structure map for the East Kimberley area. The methods are described by Lawrie et al. (2012), with the following differences: • resampling used Focal Statistic Min in ArcGIS as it more accurately represented vegetation extent • VHM was used instead of CHM as CHM did not include low vegetation (i.e ground cover). • VHM and FCM were classified into height and foliage cover classes using the Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual (NVIS Technical Working Group, 2017). Authors acknowledge the tremendous work of the Geoscience Australia Elevation team who carried out post processing, classification, production, quality assurance and delivery of all released LiDAR data products (see Geoscience Australia, 2019). In particular, the authors thank Graham Hammond, Kevin Kennedy, Jonathan Weales, Grahaem Chiles, Robert Kay, Shane Crossman, and Simon Costelloe. Geoscience Australia, 2019. Kimberley East - LiDAR data. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. C7FDA017-80B2-4F98-8147-4D3E4DF595A2 https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/129985 Lawrie, K.C., Brodie, R.S., Tan, K.P., Gibson, D., Magee, J., Clarke, J.D.A., Halas, L., Gow, L., Somerville, P., Apps, H.E., Christensen, N.B., Brodie, R.C., Abraham, J., Smith, M., Page, D., Dillon, P., Vanderzalm, J., Miotlinski, K., Hostetler, S., Davis, A., Ley-Cooper, A.Y., Schoning, G., Barry, K. and Levett, K. 2012. BHMAR Project: Data Acquisition, processing, analysis and interpretation methods. Geoscience Australia Record 2012/11. 826p. NVIS Technical Working Group. 2017 Chapter 4.0 NVIS attributes listed and described in detail. In: Australian Vegetation Attribute Manual: National. Vegetation Information System, Version 7.0. Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra. Prep by Bolton, M.P., deLacey, C. and Bossard, K.B. (Eds).

This web service contains a selection of remotely sensed raster products used in the Exploring for the Future (EFTF) East Kimberley Groundwater Project. Selected products were derived from LiDAR, Landsat (5, 7, and 8), and Sentinel-2 data. Datasets include: 1) mosaic 5 m digital elevation model (DEM) with shaded relief; 2) vegetation structure stratum and substratum classes; 3) Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) 20th, 50th, and 80th percentiles; 4) Tasselled Cap exceedance summaries; 5) Normalised Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) and Normalised Difference Wetness Index (NDWI). Landsat spectral reflectance products can be used to highlight land cover characteristics such as brightness, greenness and wetness, and vegetation condition; Sentinel-2 datasets help to detect vegetation moisture stress or waterlogging; LiDAR datasets providing a five meter DEM and vegetation structure stratum classes for detailed analysis of vegetation and relief.

The Bendigo Region LiDAR project covers 3 area north east of Bendigo over the Avonmore Scarp. This project was captured between the 9th and 11th of December 2012 (delivery Feb 13) and the 24 to 28 May 2013 (delivery Aug 13) by Photomapping Services using airborne LiDAR. The final LAS dataset has been processed to level 2 of the ASPRS classification standard. Several derivative products have then been produced from the AHD corrected laser surface.

As part of the Urban Digital Elevation Modelling (UDEM) Project (July 2008- June 2010), Airborne LiDAR data were acquired in partnership with State jurisdictions over priority areas including Perth-Bunbury, Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney and the NSW Hunter and Central Coast. These datasets were then further processed to produce hydrologically enforced and conditioned DEMs (Hydro-DEMs).