NSW Government launches Land iQ platform for land use

The New South Wales Government has announced the release of its Land iQ data platform for licensed industry use, offering a tool for land management that aims to expedite the pre-planning process.

Developed by Property and Development NSW (PDNSW), in collaboration with other government agencies and technology partners such as WSP Australia, Giraffe, and Aerometrex, Land iQ integrates over 200 data sources and 75 land-use data types. The platform facilitates strategic evaluations of land use, enhancing both public and private sector capabilities.

The platform is designed to aid a diverse range of planning and property-related activities. It is intended to assist with land assessments, land valuations, and improve risk assessments related to climate pressures and natural hazards. This integration is expected to support planning and property management sectors, universities, and Local Aboriginal Land Councils in managing land and identifying development opportunities.

Land iQ has been previously utilised by PDNSW during the NSW Government's Property Audit, which sought to identify government land suitable for housing development. Additionally, it played a significant role during the 2022 Northern Rivers floods by assessing land for temporary emergency accommodation.

Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, commented on the initiative, saying: "The Minns Government is pulling every lever available to address the housing crisis. We have developed an industry-leading platform that can help speed up the pre-planning process, it only makes sense that we make this critical tool available so that everyone can benefit." Kamper added that effective land use is vital for supporting quality of life, economic progress, and environmental preservation in New South Wales.

Kamper also remarked on the benefits of investment in public service developments, stating: "Investing in our public service can deliver results beyond what was anticipated, and I congratulate Property and Development NSW and its development partners for pioneering this exciting technology that has been serving government and will now be rolled out for licensed use by the private sector."

Leon Walker, Deputy Secretary of Property and Development NSW, highlighted the platform's impact, stating: "Land iQ is a world first data platform that uses smart technology to streamline land use planning and reduce timeframes for due diligence testing of the potential effects of different land-use scenarios."

Walker elaborated on the utility of the platform, adding: "Its extensive analysis tools and comprehensive Statewide datasets provide an excellent source of information not only for government but private sector planners, property managers, developers and the research sector."