The document discusses the development of environmental and geographic information capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), emphasizing its importance in military operations. It outlines the historical context, studies, and strategies from 1995 to 1997, focusing on the capacity to collect and use geographic data for various defense tasks. Key elements include the proposal for a geospatial information infrastructure and the identification of information requirements related to maritime operations and logistics.

1. BACK TO THE FUTURE:
Capability Development
I don't think of what I do as science fiction,
I think of it as historical reports of events that haven't happened yet!
Dr R.J. (Bob) Williams [Retired]
Cartographer
Topographic Surveyor,
Geographer & Geospatial Scientist
February 2022
Includes several slides from presentation titled
“BACK TO THE FUTURE: OIESS2025 – Burrows – Rosetta”

2. EGICS – Capability Development
In March 1995, a senior Defence committee endorsed a plan which provides a basis for the planning and
conduct of major capabilities analyses. The plan provides for a study of Environmental and Geographic
Information to be undertaken in 1996/97. The study is to concentrate on the Australian Defence Force's
(ADF) ability to collect, maintain, disseminate, access, transfer and exchange environmental and geographic
information to support Defence of Australia roles and other relevant tasks.
Scope
When considering the Defence Environmental and Geographic Information Capability, the knowledge of the
environment and infrastructure and its impact on military operations is viewed as fundamental. The
environment includes the natural phenomena of the land, sea and air, while the infrastructure includes man-
made features and administrative delineation.
Environmental and geographic information is used at all levels of operation and is particularly important in the
following areas: intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; targeting and weapons employment;
command, control and communication; navigation and guidance; health and survival; and mobility.
The study is to address the geographical extent of the ADF's environmental and geographic information
requirements through analysis of roles derived from policy documents, exercise and training requirements,
intelligence assessments and consideration of statutory responsibilities.
CAPABILITY is defined as the capacity to achieve a specific effect, in a nominated operating
environment or location, within a specific degree of notice, and to sustain that effect for a given
time.
CAPABILITY has as its components: personnel; education and training; equipment; organisation;
structure; deployment; preparedness; and doctrine.
Geographic and environmental information includes Infrastructure, hydrographic, topographic,
aeronautical, oceanographic, meteorological, geodetic information; and imagery.

3. A Proud Heritage – EGICS
(Environmental & Geographic Information Capability Study)
1997 In March 1995, the Australian Defence Organisation’s Concepts and Capabilities Committee (CCC)
endorsed the Capability Analysis Plan (CAP) which provides a basis for the planning and conduct of
major capabilities analyses. The CAP provides for a study of Environmental and Geographic Information
to be undertaken in 1996/97.
The Goal of EGICS was to offer a strategy to
progress the concept of a Geospatial
Information Infrastructure (GII).
v The infrastructure is the collection of people,
policies, doctrine, architectures, standards,
education and training, and technologies
necessary to create, maintain, and utilise a
shared geospatial framework.
v The infrastructure should enable development
of an infrastructure that transitions from,
essentially, a paper-based capability to an
architecture that provides information and
services across the portfolio: a service that
provides the right information to the
appropriate user in the appropriate timeframe.
EGICS was suspended in May 1997 due to the intervention of the Defence Reform Program
1997

4. Capability Development includes Concepts of Operation with associated Tasks
e.g.
CONCEPTS OF OPERATION could include:
q Maritime Patrol and Response
q Detecting and Defeating Incursions onto Australian Territory and Protecting
Assets and Infrastructure
q Contribution to the National Response to Incidents in the South Pacific
Securing Oceania’s maritime approaches for the safe passage of shipping
is a vital security requirement.
In addition to a traditional role of security against military attack, there are needs for a
range of nontraditional threats, including illegal entry of people, the smuggling of
drugs or other contraband, unlicensed foreign fishing activity, disease, and in a worst
case scenario, the entry of terrorists.
CONCEPT of OPERATION
Protection of Shipping and Offshore
Territories, Assets and Resources
EGICS – A Maritime Perspective
(OIESS – Capability Development Process)
HYDROGRAPHIC AND OCEANOGRAPHIC
CHALLENGES
q Measuring the shape of the South-West Pacific regions
q Monitoring the quality of the region’s ocean and littoral zone

5. CONCEPT of OPERATION
Protection of Shipping
and Offshore Territories,
Assets and Resources
Monitor Oceanographic State
Monitor Meteorological State
Monitor Shipping and Routes
Respond to Incidents
TASKS
SYSTEM Platform B OIESS
(Oceania Infrastructure and
Environmental Support System )
GENERAL
REQUIREMENT
Environmental Data
Logistic Support
Information
Infrastructure
SPECIFIC
REQUIREMENT Hydrography Oceanography Meteorology
EGICS – A Maritime Perspective
(OIESS – Capability Development Process)

6. Meteorological Forecast Data
Meteorological Climatological
Statistics Data
Water Turbidity and Visibility Data
Tidal Heights Prediction Data
Tidal Stream and Current Data
Sound Velocity Profiles Data
Marine Biological Noise Data
Seabed Data
Current and Surge Data
Environmental Data
Communications
National
Telecommunications
Local Facilities
Civil Maritime
Communications
Other Govt Dept
Communications
Defence Data Networks
Transport
Railways
Roads
Ships - Australian
Major Transport
Operations
Transport Systems -
National
Resources & Utilities
Water Supply
Power Supply
Fuel Storage &
Distribution
Health/Medical
Airfields
Airfields & Airstrips
Air Movements Facilities
Beaches
Location
Beach Surface
Beach Approaches
Back of Beach Terrain
Beach Exits
Ports & Harbours
Harbours
Wharfage
Anchorages
Lifting Appliances
Fuel
Water
Railways
Helicopter Pads
Container Park Facilities
Logistic Support Data
Communications
EGICS – A Maritime Perspective
(OIESS – Capability Development Process)
Civilian Stores/Repair &
Maintenance Workshop & Repair
Facilities

7. • Bathymetry / Bottom topography
• Bottom slope
• Bottom morphology (type, trafficability)
• Underwater obstacles and obstructions
• Beaches (composition, slope, obstacles)
• Riverine (width, depth, gradient)
• Land (vegetation, trafficability)
• Q-Routes
• Magnetic
• Miscellaneous (fishing, shipping,
industrial, marine life)
Content
Bottom characteristics
Material composition category
Material composition secondary
Material composition underlying
Physical surface characteristics
BF010
MCC
MCS
MCU
PSC
Obstruction (nautical)
Wreck
BD070
BD180
Route (Maritime)
Swept area
Maritime area
FC165
FC177
FC031
- Littoral Information [Example with DIGEST Features and Attributes]
EGICS – A Maritime Perspective
(OIESS – Capability Development Process)

8. BB - Hydrography-Ports and Harbors
BB005 US-Harbor UK-Harbour
BB006 US-Harbor Complex UK-Harbour Complex
BB007 Channel Edge
BB010 Anchorage
BB011 Anchorage (Complex Feature)
BB012 Anchor Berth
BB019 Anchor
BB020 Berth
BB021 Mooring Trot
BB022 Basin
BB030 Bollard
BB040 Breakwater/Groyne
BB041 Breakwater
BB042 Mole
BB043 Groin
BB050 Calling-In Point
BB079 Mooring/Warping Facility
BB080 Dolphin
BB081 Shoreline Construction
BB090 US-Drydock UK-Dry Dock
BB100 US-Fish Stakes UK-Fishing Stakes
BB105 US-Fishing Harbor UK-Fishing Harbour
BB110 Fish Traps/Fish Weirs
BB111 Tunny (Tuna) Nets Area
BB115 US-Gridiron UK-Gridiron/Careening Grid
BB140 US-Jetty UK-Training Wall
BB150 Landing Place
BB151 Landing Stairs
BB155 Maritime Station/Maritime Signal Station
BB160 Mooring Ring
BB170 US-Offshore Loading Facility UK-Single Point Mooring
BB180 Oyster Bed/Mussel Bed
BB190 US-Pier/Wharf/Quay UK-Pier/Wharf/Quay/Jetty
BB198 Fender
BB199 Floating Dock
BB200 Pump Out Facility
BB201 Small Craft Facility
BB202 Ice Boom
BB220 Ramp (Maritime)
BB221 Log Ramp
BB225 Rip Rap
BB226 Revetment (Shore Protection)
BB230 Seawall
BB240 Slipway/Patent Slip
BB250 Watering Place
AFA 21 No Ticket Sales
AFA 22 Yacht Club
AFA 23 Boat Hoist
AFA 24 Boat Yard
AFA 25 Hotel Accommodation
AFA 26 Restaurant
AFA 27 Desalination facilities
AFA 28 Parking Lot
AFA 29 Parking for boats and trailers
AFA 30 Recreational Vehicle Park
AFA 31 Campground
AFA 32 Sewerage pump-out station
AFA 33 Emergency telephone
AFA 34 Landing and launching place for boats
AFA 35 Scrubbing Berth
AFA 36 Picnic Area
AFA 37 Mechanics Workshop
AFA 38 Guard or Security Service
AFA 995 None
AFA 997 Unpopulated
AFA 998 Not Applicable
AFA Available Facilities - Facilities available at or in the near vicinity
AFA 0 Unknown
AFA 1 Visitors Berth
AFA 2 Visitors Mooring
AFA 3 Sailmaker
AFA 4 Chandler
AFA 5 Provisions
AFA 6 Physician/Doctor
AFA 7 Pharmacy/Chemist
AFA 8 Drinking Water
AFA 9 Fuel Station
AFA 10 Electricity
AFA 11 Bottle Gas/LPG
AFA 12 Showers
AFA 13 Launderette
AFA 14 Toilets
AFA 15 Post Box
AFA 16 Public Telephone
AFA 17 Refuse Bin
AFA 18 Water Police
AFA 19 Helipad
AFA 20 Ticket Sales
B — Hydrography
BA Coastal Hydrography
BB Ports and Harbors
BC NAVAIDS
BD Dangers/Hazards
BE Depth Information
BF Bottom Features
BG Tide and Current Information
BH Inland Water
BI Miscellaneous Inland Water
BJ Snow/Ice
BK Oceanographic or Geophysical
The Digital Geographic Information Exchange Standard (DIGEST) was
developed by the Digital Geographic Information Working Group
(DGIWG) to support efficient exchange of Digital Geographic Information
among nations, data producers, and data users.
DGIWG DIGEST FACC
FACC (Feature and Attribute Coding Catalog) contains:
10 Categories
50 Sub-categories
270 Features
460 Attributes
4000 Attribute values

9. APPLIED
RESEARCH
Natural Environment
Infrastructure Modelling
Logistics
Transportation
Health
etc
BASIC
RESEARCH
Geodesy & Surveying
Cartography – Mapping
Various Sensor Technologies
Applied Mathematics
& Computer Science
(e.g. Artificial Intelligence)
CAPABILTY
DEVELOPMENT
INFORMATION
REQUIREMENTS
Analysis of Strategic Guidance
Environmental & Geographic
Information Capability Studies
Determination of the Scope
of Geographic Information
Needs Analysis
SYSTEMS
ENGINEERING
System Design
Requirements Management
Project management
EGICS – Capability Development
(Applied Research)
APPLIED
RESEARCH
Concept Demonstrators
Prototype Development
Test-beds
Leading to the acquisition
of
new, more advanced
CAPABILITY
AEPCOTAT
& OIESS

10. Location
Profile PORT OF TOWNSVILLE
Intended use: Operational planning
Infrastructure (Level 1)
CALTEX Australia Limited
Terminal 07 4771 4071
SHELL Australia Limited
Herbert St 07 4746 3135
Gogas Emergency Line 1800 802 666
Mobil Oil Australia Limited
Emergencies 1800 023 005
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
3
Regional
Harbour
Master
The Port of Townsville has 8 operational berths.
No. 1 Berth (isolated) is used exclusively by tankers for
bulk oil, gas and sulphuric acid discharge and by all type of vessels for distillate bunkering.
No. 2 Berth is used for unloading nickel ore, it is equiped with an ore unloading gantry crane.
No. 3 Berth is leased to M.I.M Holdings Ltd, it has a container gantry crane with a lift capacity of 55.9 tonnes, maximum height
of lift above wharf deck is 27 meters. The crane traverses the full length of theberth, except for a length of rail occupied by a
25.4 tonne, 32 metre radius, travelling jib crane for container and unit load handling.
No. 4 Berth has a landing pad, supported by steel piling, to service stern angle ramp RORO vessels. The molasses pipeline to
this berth is capable of loading up to 400 tonnes / hour. The berth has been upgraded to import bulk cement and is also
equipped with pipelines for the import of caustic soda.
No. 7 Berth supports a bulk shiploader for mineral concentrates, phosphate rock and ores up to 102mm aggregate at the rate of
1,000 tonnes / hour. This berth is also equipped with bulk molasses and bunker pipeline.
No. 8 Berth services the export frozen beef trade with cargoes drawn from freezer stores adjacent to the port. It also serves as
a general purpose berth with scrap metal, fertiliser and frozen meat being handled over this wharf. The berth is equipped with a
stationary 25 tonne, 30 metre radius, 400 HLT crane.
No. 9 Berth is the raw sugar loading berth. A bulk shiploader delivers sugar to carriers at the rate of 2000 tonnes / hour. The
berth is also equipped with a bunker and molasses pipeline.
No. 10 Berth is a general purpose berth equipped with a 30 tonne crane with a 32 metre maximum radius. A stern RORO ramp
is also available.
Storage facilities at the Port of Townsville
Oil All major oil companies operate
terminals in close proximity to the port.
Raw Sugar Two storage sheds of 285,000 tonnes
total capacity.
Molasses Four bulk storage tanks of 35,000
tonnes total capacity.
Concentrates 170,000 tonnes covered storage
area.
Cement One 30,000 tonne bulk cement storage
silo.
Chemicals Two sulphuric acid storage tanks of
17,000 tonnes total capacity.
LP Gas Five LPG storage tanks with a total
capacity of 1,250 tonnes
Townsville is located on the north eastern coast of Queensland, 550 kilometres north of the Tropic of Capricorn and
2,300 kilometres south of the equator. Townsville lies 1,500 kilometres north of the State Capital Brisbane.
A prosperous coastal city, Townsville has a culturally diverse population of around 130,000 and a sound economy
built upon mining, manufacturing, industry, tourism and transportation. This, together with the concentration of
educational, administrative, cultural, commercial and industrial services has ensured that Townsville is, and will
remain, both the largest provincial city in Queensland and the Capital of North Queensland.

11. Location
Profile PORT OF TOWNSVILLE
Intended use: Transport & Logistics
Tactical ops (Level 2)
Road access
Port authority
Townsville Port Authority
Phone 07 4790 2111
Hydrographic info
RAN Hydrographic Service
Phone 02 4221 8500
Berth 1
Petroleum products
One 150mm pipeline
Two 300mm pipelines
Storage capacity - 165,000 tonnes
LPG
One 250mm pipeline
Storage capacity - 1,250 tonnes
Berth 2
General cargo
One travelling jib crane
Berth 3
One travelling gantry container crane
Heavy lift capacity - 56 tonnes
Storage area - 2.8ha
Roll-on / roll-off
Stern ramp available
Berth 6
General cargo
LPG Depot
CALTEX Depot
SHELL Depot
MOBIL Depot
S19 15
E146
50
Berth 10
Containers
Mobile crawler crane
Lift capacity - 130 tonnes
Storage area - 2.6ha
Roll-on / roll-off
Stern / bow ramp available
Platypus Channel
Dredged to 10.3 metres
Dredged to
9.5m
Swinging basin
dredged to 10.5m
Berth 9
Passenger cruise vessels
Scale bar [KM]
1
0
Links to
Owners and
operators
Wharf
infrastructure
Navigation
aids
Power and
fuel facilities
Communications
and
emergency services