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NSW Elevation and Depth Theme

Please Note
WGS 84 service aligned to GDA94
This dataset has spatial reference [WGS 84 ≈ GDA94] which may result in misalignments when viewed in GDA2020 environments. A similar service with a ‘multiCRS’ suffix is available which can support GDA2020, GDA94 and WGS 84 ≈ GDA2020 environments.
In due course, and allowing time for user feedback and testing, it is intended that the original service name will adopt the new 'multiCRS' functionality.

Metadata Portal Metadata Information

Content TitleNSW Elevation and Depth Theme
Content TypeHosted Feature LayerDescription

Elevation and Depth is the measurement of the Earth’s surface above or below a vertical datum to obtain the height of the land. Data is collected using a range of sensors including: laser, sonar, radar and optical.

Technical methodologies are used to derive spot heights, raster surfaces, contours, triangulated irregular networks and digital elevation models.

Datasets that form the Elevation and Depth theme include: 

• Historical Contours (2m Urban, 10m and 20m)
• Current 2m Contours (State wide)
• Spot Heights
• Relative Heights
• Point cloud (LiDAR and Photogrammetrically derived) (available for download from Geoscience Australia ELVIS Platform)
• Digital Elevation Model (available for download from Geoscience    Australia ELVIS Platform) 

Elevation Data Sets available from additional services.

ELVIS – Elevation and Depth

Point Clouds - The point cloud data set consists of point clouds captured from LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and derived from airborne imagery using photogrammetric techniques. 

Spatial Services Point Cloud data is available for on demand download from Geoscience Australia ELVIS Platform. 

Digital Elevation Models - Digital Elevation Models (DEM) are derived from Spatial Services’ (SS) point cloud data. The DEM is a bare earth representation of the earth’s surface where all the above ground feature has been removed.

Spatial Services have a number of different Digital Elevation Models 

Digital Elevation Model derived from LiDAR - Are 1m or 2m resolution and is not hydrologically enforced

(breaklines) or hydrologically conditioned (identification and analysis of sinks).

Digital Elevation Model derived Photogrammetry - Data is 5m resolution. Areas of no data caused by steep slopes, shadow and vegetation have been interpolated or filled-in with another data source and will not be as accurate as the bare open ground areas. The data is not hydrologically enforced (breaklines) or hydrologically conditioned (identification and analysis of sinks).

Spatial Services Digital Elevation Model data is available for on demand download from. Geoscience Australia ELVIS Platform as 2km x 2km tiles. 

You can also access the 5 Metre Digital Elevation Model Service in the Collaboration Portal.

Elevation and Depth provides an accurate representation of the Earth’s surface enabling evidence-based decision making, 3D modelling, planning and earth surface representation.

Elevation and Depth underpins:

• Safe hydrographic
• Aeronautical and road navigation
• Climate science, including climate change adaptation
• Emergency management and natural hazard risk assessment
• Environmental, including water management
• Engineering projects and infrastructure development
• Definition of maritime and administrative boundaries
• Natural resource exploration.

Update frequencies vary for each dataset. Individual current status can be found under each Spatial data profile. 

The objective is to maintain elevation datasets to meet the FDSI requirements of key data users.

Current programs include:

• Aerial LiDAR capture program across NSW.
• DEM and Point Cloud generation from photogrammetric techniques.

Longer term programs include:

• Update of contour data using updated DEM data generated from LiDAR and Photogrammetry.
• Hydrological enforcement using improved surface models.

Initial Publication Date05/04/2020Data Currency01/01/3000Data Update FrequencyOtherContent SourceData provider files
File TypeESRI File Geodatabase (*.gdb)Attribution© State of New South Wales (Spatial Services, a business unit of the Department of Customer Service NSW). For current information go to spatial.nsw.gov.auData Theme, Classification or Relationship to other DatasetsNSW Elevation and Depth Theme of the Foundation Spatial Data Framework (FSDF)
AccuracyThis dataset was captured by utilising the best available source at a variety of scales and accuracies, ranging from 1:500 to 1:250 000 according to the National Mapping Council of Australia, Standards of Map Accuracy (1975). Therefore, the position of the feature instance will be within 0.5mm at map scale for 90% of the well-defined points. That is, 1:500 = 0.25m, 1:2000 = 1m, 1:4000 = 2m, 1:25000 = 12.5m, 1:50000 = 25m and 1:100000 = 50m. A program to upgrade the spatial location and accuracy of data is ongoing.  
Spatial Reference System (dataset)GDA94Spatial Reference System (web service)EPSG:3857WGS84 Equivalent ToGDA94Spatial ExtentFull State
Content LineageFor additional information, please contact us via the Spatial Services Customer Hub
Data ClassificationUnclassifiedData Access PolicyOpenData QualityFor additional information, please contact us via the Spatial Services Customer Hub
Terms and ConditionsCreative CommonsStandard and Specification

AS/NZS ISO 19115 - ANZLIC Metadata Profile Version 1.1

AS/NZS ISO 19131:2008 Geographic Information - Data product specifications

OGC compliant Web Map Services (WMS) and Web Feature Services (WFS)

Metadata for the relevant Spatial Services datasets complies with AS/NZS ISO 19115-2, ANZLIC Metadata Profile v1.1 and ISO 19139 Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping (ICSM): Guidelines for Digital Elevation Data

DCS Spatial Services: Elevation Data Products Specification and Description (LiDAR)

DCS Spatial Services: Elevation Data Products Specification and Description (Airborne Photogrammetry)  

Data CustodianDCS Spatial Services
346 Panorama Ave
Bathurst NSW 2795
Point of ContactPlease contact us via the Spatial Services Customer Hub
Data AggregatorDCS Spatial Services
346 Panorama Ave
Bathurst NSW 2795
Data DistributorDCS Spatial Services
346 Panorama Ave
Bathurst NSW 2795
Additional Supporting InformationData Dictionaries
TRIM Number