Case Study: SHAP Hunting Area Dataset

Spatial Vision was commissioned by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to create a series of hunting area datasets across public land in Victoria. The purpose of the project was to develop a map set for Victoria showing where game hunting on Crown land is permitted.

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The project – supporting the implementation of core components within The Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2016-2020 (SHAP) – aimed to confirm the process by which suitable hunting area spatial datasets were to be generated. We then implemented this data through an automated process based on spatial datasets and rules, and published the output of this process into the DELWP corporate spatial repository as well as other platforms.

To assist in the development of the rules, resolution of conflicts and uncertainty, and the testing of the results achieved, a large and diverse stakeholder reference group was established including representatives from Victorian land management agencies, hunting authorities and firearm regulation authorities, including both policy and operational staff.

Customer Profile

Organisation: DELWP – Land Management Policy Division

Location: Melbourne

Website: delwp.vic.gov.au

Solution

Benefits

“Spatial Vision achieved a great outcome for the Victorian community both in terms of the quality of the hunting dataset outputs developed, and also the spatial tool that it deployed so as further changes in the hunting rules can be readily implemented.”

Dan MeehanManager, Crown Land Administration Support, DELWP

The Issue

A key requirement of this project was to provide an authoritative spatial dataset for Victoria that identified where hunting of different pest and game species could occur on public land. This was an issue since no such dataset or map currently existing and many of the rules associated with hunting were complex, confusing or unclear. There were also changes being made that needed to be accurately reflected in any future hardcopy or digital map product.

The requirement for this information was a key action identified under the Victorian Sustainable Hunting Action Plan (SHAP). The focus was on confirming and then accurately reflecting the rules and regulations as to where, when and how duck, stubble quail, and a range of key deer species, could be hunted, and providing flexibility for rule changes.

The Solution

Our approach was to firstly develop a set of business rules that identified hunting area inclusions and exclusions. This involved an extensive review of current and relevant legislation, gazettals, rules and regulations to determine where and when particular game and pest species could be hunted, and by what hunting method. The development of these rules involved identifying what spatial features could be used to identify hunting areas, and where additional spatial information needed to be captured.

We extensively consulted with a project reference group and other relevant stakeholders. These consultative workshops allowed the development of the business rules to be expertly verified and corroborated.

This was especially important since some rules were more general in nature, and other rules were exceptions to that general rule, or extremely complex. Hence, the approach involved clarifying the way spatial data and text-based tables came together in the correct sequence to best represent the correct hunting status for an area.

Stage two involved wrapping this series of business rules into a modular and hierarchical set of desktop GIS tools, where the input datasets and tables could be updated as rules changed.

The Benefits

The outputs of this work provide:

The first maps and spatial representations of where game and pest species can be hunted on public land across Victoria
A clear set of hierarchal business rules that define where hunting is permitted, when and how
A spatial tool that can be updated to reflect rule changes or any issues identified in the current interpretation of the rules
Greater confidence and clarify around where hunting is permitted so that all stakeholders across the sector can more effectively plan and manage hunting related activities
Greatly improved access to, and consistency in, hunting area related information