The AGEOSWG held its 12th meeting on the 10th of February 2016, chaired by Geoscience Australia

The Australian Government Earth Observation from Space Working Group (AGEOSWG) links Commonwealth government agencies using EO data, and aims to promote a coordinated approach to exploitation of Earth Observations from space across the Australian Government.  The AGEOSWG is driving implementation of the National Earth Observations from Space Infrastructure Plan (NEOS-IP).  The AGEOSWG provides an Earth observation perspective to the Australian Government Space Coordination Committee and, through it, to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.

The AGEOSWG held its 12th meeting on the 10th of February 2016, chaired by Geoscience Australia.  Key discussion points from the meeting were:

• Agencies are making good progress to ensure future supply of priority data for Australia.  Partnerships with Japan, the United States and European Union are well established and provide long-term certainty around key data streams.  Further work on opportunities to enhance data supply is underway through Australian Government-funded CRC-SI projects.
• Agencies are working within existing resources to implement key priorities in the NEOS-IP.  The Australian Geoscience Data Cube, Regional Copernicus Data Access/Analysis Hub (collaboration with NSW, QLD and WA) and planned major upgrade to the Alice Springs Ground Station to provide further support to the Landsat programme are key examples.  
• Agencies agree that there is a need for a national statement of EOS infrastructure priorities, and support the AEOCCG’s efforts to develop a community-owned infrastructure plan.  Such a plan may help better coordinate investments across governments, research infrastructure programmes, research institutes and the private sector.
• Agencies see the CSIRO-CEOS Chairmanship as presenting opportunities for the Australian EOS community to ‘get involved’ in supporting the space agency partners on whom we rely for data.
• Agencies expressed their support for a national remote sensing conference, lad by the AEOCCG.
• Agencies are working closely with ABS about the application of EOS to support the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
• Agencies are ensuring the importance of EOS is being communicated to the review of the Space Activities Act being undertaken by DIIS.
• Security of funding for critical calibration/validation facilities, of significant value to international partners, remains a topic of discussion.

The AGEOSWG also held a session with state and territory government representatives, and representatives from the CRC-SI and AEOCCG.  This broader for a provided a venue to identify opportunities for increased cooperation beyond Australian Government agencies.  IMOS, TERN and AuScope will be invited to further such sessions.

1st AGEOSWG Meeting

The first meeting of the Australian Government Earth Observation from Space Working Group (AGEOSWG) was held at Geosciences Australia on May 21, 2013. This working Group is a follow on from the "National Remote Sensing Technical Reference Group" and has an established role defined in Australia's "Satellite Utilisation Policy. "

AGEOSWG is key part of the Policy's - Principle 5: Improve domestic coordination: Enhance the coordination, understanding and strategic direction of Australia’s uses and approach to space. It is meant to link Commonwealth government agencies using EO data to the Australian Government Space Coordination Committee (SCC). The SCC reports to the Coordination Committee on Innovation. This approach still places Geosciences Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO as the main EO users/producers. AEOCCG is meant to provide the linkages between state, local governments, industry and academia to the Commonwealth. AEOCCG can distribute or obtain information.

This meeting covered three main areas:

• Review of Australia's satellite utilisation policy
• Status of the NEOS-IP (National Earth Observation from Space Infrastructure Plan (NEOS-IP)
• Getting on the same page to implement recommendations for NEOS-IP

The last point is a critical one as AGEOSWG has requested that AEOCCG go out to the community to obtain feedback on key issues.