The CRC for Spatial Information (CRCSI) is a research organisation funded by Australia's Cooperative Research Centre Program (CRC)[1] and by participant contributions. CRCSI was founded in 2003 and, with the successful rebid announced in August 2009,[2] will continue to 2018.[3] It conducts research and development projects that involve collaboration between government, corporate and academic resources.
The purpose of CRCSI is to create new wealth for its participants and the nation through innovative research, application and commercialisation of spatial information technologies; through education; and through building collaborative partnerships.[4] The CRCSI "aims to develop technologies to provide tools for commercial exploitation by Australian industry" (Smith 2008).[5]
A study commissioned by the CRCSI and ANZLIC in 2008 found that the spatial information industry contributed from $6.4 and $12.6 billion to Australia's GDP in 2006-07.[6] Since its beginning, CRCSI has focussed on both the innovative application of emerging technology and the development of new technologies.[7]
CRCSI membership includes ANZLIC and ANZLIC’s members; an SME consortium called 43pl comprising over 60 companies; several universities and many government departments.[8] "43pl has enabled small to medium-sized companies to do things collectively that they could not possibly do individually" (Woodgate 2004).[9]
CRCSI has offices in Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland in Australia and also Wellington in New Zealand.[4]
CRCSI activities are applied to several key industry sectors, including:
A number of CRCSI research projects have been commercialised including[11]