Detailed 3D seabed mapping available

Highly detailed digital maps covering 6,800km of the NSW coastline, including the Central Coast, are now available to the public with the NSW Government launching the Seabed NSW 3D map viewer this week.

Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman, said the high-tech, high-resolution images allow anyone to examine and visualise the sea floor in detail previously not possible.

“NSW Coastal Councils rely on highly detailed and accurate data to produce their Coastal Management Plans (CMPs), and this advanced imaging provides cutting-edge information to support the science-based assessment,” Tuckerman said.

“Ensuring the long-term health of our coasts and estuaries for future generations is what these programs are all about, so I’m thrilled to publish this detailed data to anyone who needs it.

Minister for Environment, James Griffin, said laser scanners mounted on planes were used to reveal the hidden detail beneath the waves by coastal and marine scientists from the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).

“This fascinating data can now be used by councils and the public to see the sea floor, reefs, rip channels and ancient rivers in extremely high detail up to depths of 35 meters,” Griffin said.

“These maps provide important insights into sea floor habitats, which will ultimately help us better manage ecosystems into the future.”

The maps, funded through the NSW Government’s $83.6M coastal reforms funding package announced in 2016, can be accessed on the NSW Government’s Sharing and Enabling Environmental Data (SEED) portal.

Source:
Media release, May 30
NSW Government