Award winners making data accessible to all

Published Tuesday, 02 December, 2014 at 06:00 PM

Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

A new web application, which has the potential to help residents get a real time snapshot of damage and disruption during cyclones, floods or bushfires, has won two prestigious Premier’s Awards for Open Data.

The Wiki Queensland big-data fusion system, created by a six-person team from the University of Queensland, won the Best Use of Open Data award and Microsoft StartUp Q Award at tonight’s event.

Premier Campbell Newman congratulated the UQ team and all winners and praised the entries for the innovation and maturity they showed in using data being released by government.

“Open data is about creating awareness about the open access the public has to Queensland Government data and helping people to understand that data can be valuable,” Mr Newman said.

“An application like Wiki Queensland could have enormous benefits for all Queenslanders in everyday situations but especially during natural disasters like the freak storm we had last week in Brisbane.

“It could help keep Queenslanders safer by allowing them to find out in real time where the major flooding and storm damage is, if there are fallen power lines in their area or where the worst traffic problems are.

“It could also help house-hunters gather information to inform their buying choice and find an area that offers all the lifestyle and services they want, or assist health care providers to plan facilities in areas based on demographics.

“This is another way in which the Government’s strong plan is creating a brighter future for all Queenslanders.”

Mr Newman said open data was big business with a recent study by Lateral Economics estimating it was worth an additional $25 billion a year to the Australian economy.

“Data is becoming the currency of our society and by making government data available to the public we will allow Queenslanders to develop innovative services and solutions,” he said.

“It’s another way in which we are ensuring that we have a government that is open, accountable and delivers the results Queenslanders expect.”

The UQ team of Xue Li, Xiaofang Zhou, Sayan Unankard, Shazia Sadiq, Ling Chen and Weicheng Tong won $5000 and the opportunity to work with the new Open Data Institute of Queensland to commercialise their product.

The Premier also announced the launch of a consultation process to receive feedback on Queensland’s proposed Open Data Bill – the first in Australia.

The evening also showcased Queensland as a leader in open data with the official launch of the Open Data Institute (ODI) Queensland – also an Australian first.

Maree Adshead, the inaugural CEO of ODI Queensland, said she was excited about the opportunities open data could bring to Queensland.

“Queensland is leading the way by taking Australia's first official seat at the table of the Open Data Institute's international community,” Ms Adshead said.