September 2012 - The team behind the new Destination Spatial movement in Queensland and the revamp of the Destination Spatial website have won the prestigious SIBA Chairman’s Award at the Queensland Spatial Excellence Awards.

The SIBA Chairman’s Award is made each year to an individual or group who merits special recognition for their contribution to the spatial industries in private practice. The nomination is entirely at the Chair’s discretion and can come from anywhere in the industry or even outside the industry entirely.

In presenting the award, Chair of the Spatial Industries Business Association in Queensland, Alistair Byrom, referred to the skills shortage in the spatial industry which has an impact on all sectors of the industry — public, private and academic.

“Such an issue can only be addressed by a concerted effort of all the stakeholders involved,” he said.” Without a cooperative effort, success is limited”.

Mr Byrom, went on to say “But there has been success – there is still a long way to go but a foundation has been laid”.

“That team is made up of representatives of SIBA, SSSI, QSIC and DNRM, AIMS, IMTA, GTAQ, SBQ, TMR, and some dedicated individuals who have been building momentum in the effort to bring new entrants to the industry through the Destination Spatial movement,” he said.

SIBA = Spatial Industries Business Association
SSSI = Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute
QSIC = Queensland Spatial Information Council
DNRM = Department of Natural Resources and Mines
AIMS = Australian Institute of Mine Surveyors
IMTA = International Map Trade Association
GTAQ = Geography Teachers Association of Queensland
SBQ = Surveyors Board of Queensland
TMR = Transport and Main Roads