NSW Satellite Imagery Hub Story

Objectives

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) regulates private native forestry (PNF) operations in the state. These operations are often undertaken in remote locations with minimal visibility. Prior to the advent of Planet imagery, the EPA’s intelligence gathering and operational monitoring capabilities were limited to intermittent and often outdated information and intelligence derived from industry and community sources. To improve the delivery of its proactive and responsive compliance programs, the EPA has adopted and now relies heavily on Planet daily imagery and monthly mosaics accessed through Planet Explorer, the Planet API/WMS and the Planet Add-In for ArcGIS Pro to gather intelligence on and to monitor PNF operations.  Since becoming available to the EPA, Planet imagery is routinely utilised for:

• Gathering intelligence on the location of active PNF operations.

• Operational tracking of active PNF operations conducted over time.

• Risk assessing the operational footprint of PNF operations relative to sensitive and important landscape features.
   

Outcomes

The remote nature of PNF operations has historically been the limiting factor in the EPA’s ability to effectively and efficiently track and monitor PNF operations as they occur. Having access to near real-time imagery has greatly improved the efficiency and effectiveness in the way that the EPA plans and carries out monitoring and inspections of PNF operations.