Millions of data points have been acquired or compiled through both phases of the Exploring for the Future (EFTF) program at Geoscience Australia (GA). This data that graces the EFTF Portal and appears in many publications has another home within specialist databases designed and built to house the specific data that GA collects. One such database is HYDROCHEM, which was implemented as part of the Enhanced Data Delivery (EDD) and National Groundwater Systems (NGS) projects. HYDROCHEM hosts 190,097 rows of groundwater, surface water and rainfall water chemistry analyses. This data was either previously hosted in the GNDWATER database, or compiled from legacy data stores. The redevelopment of GNDWATER to HYDROCHEM saw the de-duplication and updating of sample and site-specific metadata into other GA databases, such as SAMPLES, BOREHOLES and FIELDSITES. The redevelopment also added additional constraints to the database, including minimum metadata requirements, constrained look-up tables for units of measure, laboratory, method, filter sizes, standards and uncertainty types. Other features include minimum and maximum values for particular analytes and delivery of the data in standardised GA-preferred units of measure.

<div>GeoInsight was an 18-month pilot project developed in the latter part of Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future Program (2016–2024). The aim of this pilot was to develop a new approach to communicating geological information to non-technical audiences, that is, non-geoscience professionals. The pilot was developed using a human-centred design approach in which user needs were forefront considerations. Interviews and testing found that users wanted a simple and fast, plain-language experience which provided basic information and provided pathways for further research. GeoInsight’s vision is to be an accessible experience that curates information and data from across the Geoscience Australia ecosystem, helping users make decisions and refine their research approach, quickly and confidently.</div><div><br></div><div>In the first iteration of GeoInsight, selected products for energy, minerals, water, and complementary information from Geoscience Australia’s Data Discovery Portal and Data and Publications Catalogue were examined to (1) gauge the relevance of the information they contain for non-geoscientists and, (2) determine how best to deliver this information for effective use by non-technical audiences.</div><div><br></div><div>This Record contains the regional summaries used for GeoInsight. The intention of these summaries is to provide brief context to the more in-depth geological information. Any updates to the summaries used in GeoInsight will be accompanied by updates to this document, including a change log.</div>

<div><strong>Output Type: </strong>Exploring for the Future Extended Abstract</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Short Abstract:</strong> GeoInsight (https://geoinsight.ga.gov.au) is a new digital geological information platform for non-geoscientists, developed through an 18-month pilot project as part of Geoscience Australia’s <em>Exploring for the Future</em> Program (2016-2024). The aim of this pilot was to develop a new approach to digitally communicating geological information to non-geoscience professionals on a region-by-region basis. GeoInsight was developed using a human-centred design approach through which users expressed a need for a simple and fast, plain-language experience which provided basic information and pathways for further research. GeoInsight’s vision is for an accessible experience that curates information and data from across the Geoscience Australia ecosystem, helping users make decisions and refine their research approach, quickly, and confidently. GeoInsight has successfully brought together information from over 20 sources about energy, minerals, and groundwater on a region-by-region basis drawing on information from across Geoscience Australia and external partner organisations. The platform and data package developed during the pilot form the foundations for further refinement and development based on user needs.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Citation: </strong>Waltenberg, K., Wainman, C.C., Hawkins, S.G., Oborski, E.M., Sen, A., Knepprath, N.E., Holzschuh, J., Sunketa, A., Farmakis, B., Edmonson, S., Czarnota, U., Sedgmen, A. & Seedhouse, M., 2024. GeoInsight: a new digital platform providing regional insights&nbsp;into geoscience data for non-geoscientists. In: Czarnota, K. (ed.) Exploring for the Future: Extended Abstracts, Geoscience Australia, Canberra, https://doi.org/10.26186/149641</div>

<div>GeoInsight was an 18-month pilot project developed in the latter part of Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future Program (2016-2024). The aim of this pilot was to develop a new approach to communicating geological information to non-technical audiences, that is, non-geoscience professionals. The pilot was developed using a human-centred design approach in which user needs were forefront considerations. Interviews and testing found that potential users wanted a simple and fast, plain-language experience which offered basic information and provided pathways for further research. GeoInsight’s vision is to be an accessible experience that curates information and data from across the Geoscience Australia ecosystem, helping users make decisions and refine their research approach, quickly and confidently.</div><div>In the GeoInsight pilot, selected products for energy, minerals, water, and complementary information from Geoscience Australia’s Data Discovery Portal and Data and Publications Catalogue were examined to (1) gauge the relevance of the information they contain for non-geoscientists and, (2) determine how best to deliver this information for effective use by non-technical audiences.</div><div>This record documents the technical details of the methods of the four sections listed below:</div><div><strong>Indigenous Regions:</strong> This dataset provides a regionalised representation of data relevant to the water, minerals, and energy themes, as well as summary information, which includes, statistics and regional summaries. The Indigenous Regions provide the geographic boundaries from which the GeoInsight pilot was built upon.</div><div><strong>Population Centres:</strong> Summary information showcasing the top three population centres for each region.</div><div><strong>Top Industries:</strong> Summary information showcasing the top three industries ranked by employment for each region.</div><div><strong>Infrastructure: </strong>To show complementary information relating to infrastructure (e.g., roads) and their context to energy, mineral and groundwater resources. Infrastructure is particularly useful in supporting the extraction and transportation of commodities of Australia’s mining and energy industry.</div><div>This record will be updated, including a change log, when the scope of information or methods for generating the data change.</div>

Australia remains underexplored or unexplored, boasting discovery potential in the mineral, groundwater, and energy resources hidden beneath the surface. These “greenfield” areas are key to Australia’s future prosperity and sustainability. Led by Geoscience Australia, Australia’s national government geoscience organisation, the Exploring for the Future program was a groundbreaking mission to map Australia’s mineral, energy, and groundwater systems in unparalleled scale and detail. The program has advanced our understanding of Australia’s untapped potential. Over the course of 8 years, the Exploring for the Future program provided a significant expansion of public, precompetitive geoscience data and information, equipping decision-makers with the knowledge and tools to tackle urgent challenges related to Australia’s resource prosperity, energy security, and groundwater supply.

<div>The Exploring for the Future program, led by Geoscience Australia, was a $225 million Australian Government investment over 8 years, focused on revealing Australia’s mineral, energy, and groundwater potential by characterising geology.&nbsp;&nbsp;This report provides an overview of activities, results, achievements and impacts from the Exploring for the Future program, with a particular focus on the last four years (2020-2024). &nbsp;</div>

<div>GeoInsight was an 18-month pilot project developed in the latter part of Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future Program (2016–2024). The aim of this pilot was to develop a new approach to communicating geological information to non-technical audiences, that is, non-geoscience professionals. The pilot was developed using a human-centred design approach in which user needs were forefront considerations. Interviews and testing found that users wanted a simple and fast, plain-language experience which provided basic information and provided pathways for further research. GeoInsight’s vision is to be an accessible experience that curates information and data from across Geoscience Australia, helping users make decisions and refine their research approach, quickly and confidently.</div><div><br></div><div>In the first iteration of GeoInsight, selected products for energy, minerals, water, and complementary information from Geoscience Australia’s Data Discovery Portal and Data and Publications Catalogue were examined to (1) gauge the relevance of the information they contain for non-geoscientists and, (2) determine how best to deliver this information for effective use by non-technical audiences.</div><div><br></div><div>This Record documents the technical details of the methods used for summarising energy commodities for GeoInsight. These methods were devised to convey current production and future production/extraction potential quickly and efficiently for regions across the Australian continent. Evaluated energy commodities include oil and gas, hydrogen and geological hydrogen storage, uranium and thorium, coal (black and brown), geothermal energy, and renewable energy. Carbon storage, a decarbonisation enabler, was also addressed under the energy theme.</div><div><br></div><div>This document contains two sections:</div><div><strong>Production Summary:</strong> To showcase where energy resources are being produced in different regions of Australia. The source datasets provide a snapshot of energy production activities at the time of publication. </div><div><strong>Potential Summary:</strong> To highlight, at first glance, the likelihood that future energy production and decarbonisation initiatives may occur in different regions of Australia. The source datasets provide a snapshot of future energy potential at the time of publication.</div><div><br></div><div>Any updates to the methodology used in GeoInsight will be accompanied by updates to this document, including a change log.</div><div>Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program provides precompetitive information to inform decision-making by government, community and industry on the sustainable development of Australia's mineral, energy and groundwater resources. By gathering, analysing and interpreting new and existing precompetitive geoscience data and knowledge, we are building a national picture of Australia’s geology and resource potential. This leads to a strong economy, resilient society and sustainable environment for the benefit of all Australians. This includes supporting Australia’s transition to net zero emissions, strong, sustainable resources and agriculture sectors, and economic opportunities and social benefits for Australia’s regional and remote communities. The Exploring for the Future program, which commenced in 2016, is an eight year, $225m investment by the Australian Government.</div><div><br></div>

<div>GeoInsight’s vision is to be an accessible experience that curates information and data from across the Geoscience Australia ecosystem, helping users make decisions and refine their research approach, quickly and confidently.</div><div><br></div><div>The purpose of the GeoInsight website is to communicate geological information to non-geoscience professionals. The website presents regional geological insights about minerals, energy and groundwater, as well as contextual geographic, societal and infrastructure information. The website delivers this information in a simple and fast, plain-language interactive experience which provides basic information and additional pathways for further research.</div><div><br></div><div>The GeoInsight began as a 18-month pilot project in the latter part of Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future Program (2016–2024) with a working title of GeoWRAPA. Technical details about the build and content are available as a series of Geoscience Australia Records (refer to associated documents list). Future development is envisaged to take two forms: 1) small but regular improvements to maintain the product (business as usual) and major development milestone goals driven by project-based funding and resources.</div>

The Exploring for the Future program Showcase 2024 was held on 13-16 August 2024. Day 1 - 13th August talks included: <b>Plenary Session</b> <a href="https://youtu.be/BeCvwLqpSMQ?si=m-MFFSS6b3Hpmyiw">EFTF Showcase 2024 Introduction</a> – Dr James Johnson <a href="https://youtu.be/i4KjdR2gyQk?si=5S08H8W2oA7YhQbB">Exploring for the Future: innovative science at an unprecedented scale</a> – Dr Andrew Heap <b>Session 2 - Geoscience for all Australians</b> <a href="https://youtu.be/f4D2aWFPjYw?si=e4-RvhF-KXMhirWO">Rocks that Shape Australia: Sharing stories of Australian geoscience through an exhibition</a> - Dr Verity Normington <a href="https://youtu.be/lUHpHu99Kp8?si=5HbPjRPdErbjQPmx">Field work and community engagement across the whole country - 8 years of learning</a> - Dr Margaret Sweeney <a href="https://youtu.be/kc-i3xjGLSc?si=EKDDxoerpFdOAahM">Sharing geoscience for managing Country</a> - Dr Meredith Orr <a href="https://youtu.be/YvICMZxOneY?si=DhLLyFJScYma-jrX">Digital pathways for getting our science to users</a> - Mark Webster <a href="https://youtu.be/n49mSyvqx6A?si=VhCh1w_xxpnGcS8X">Launch of the pilot GeoInsight application: A new digital hub for access to geological insights</a> - Dr Kathryn Waltenburg View or download the <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/149800">Exploring for the Future - An overview of Australia’s transformational geoscience program</a> publication. View or download the <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/149743">Exploring for the Future - Australia's transformational geoscience program</a> publication. You can access full session and Q&A recordings from YouTube here: 2024 Showcase Day 1 - Session 1 - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs910SdHCxk">Plenary </a> 2024 Showcase Day 1 - Session 2 - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asQ6Y7qhUfo">Geoscience for all Australians</a>

<div>GeoInsight aims to communicate geological information to non-geoscience professionals and guide users to datasets with ease via a web-based interface. The 18-month pilot project was developed as part of Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future Program (2016–2024) using a human-centred design approach in which user needs are forefront considerations. Interviews and testing with users found that a simple and plain-language experience that provided packaged information with channels to further research is the preferred design. Curated information and data from across Geoscience Australia help users make decisions and refine their research approach quickly and confidently. </div><div><br></div><div>Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program provides precompetitive information to inform decision-making by government, community and industry on the sustainable development of Australia's mineral, energy and groundwater resources. By gathering, analysing and interpreting new and existing precompetitive geoscience data and knowledge, we are building a national picture of Australia’s geology and resource potential. This leads to a strong economy, resilient society and sustainable environment for the benefit of all Australians. This includes supporting Australia’s transition to net zero emissions, strong, sustainable resources and agriculture sectors, and economic opportunities and social benefits for Australia’s regional and remote communities. The Exploring for the Future program, which commenced in 2016, is an eight year, $225m investment by the Australian Government. </div><div><br></div><div>In the first iteration of GeoInsight, products were selected for minerals, energy, water and complementary information from Geoscience Australia’s Data Discovery Portal and Data and Publications Catalogue. These products were examined to (1) gauge the relevance of the information they contain for non-geoscientists and (2) determine how best to deliver this information for effective use by non-technical audiences. </div><div><br></div><div>This record documents the methodology used to summarise mineral commodities for GeoInsight. The method was devised to provide a straightforward snapshot of mineral production at the time of publication and future production/extraction potential based on Geoscience Australia datasets extrapolated to the regional scale across Australia. </div><div><br></div><div>The initial developmental stage has been dedicated to producing a workable foundation intended to evolve and incorporate more nuanced content centred on user feedback. Initial stages focused on extraction of data from databases across the widest possible breadth of commodities which could be supported by existing workflows and automation. A recommendation for future development is to incorporate the more nuanced information available from Geoscience Australia into future iterations of the GeoInsight platform. A wide range of information related to mineral potential is delivered by Geoscience Australia, very little of which is captured in the current version of GeoInsight. </div><div><br></div><div>Any updates to the methodology used in GeoInsight will be accompanied by updates to this document, including a change log.</div>