Western Australian Government Awards $73.7 Million Contract for Digital Twin Platform Development

What's Happening?

The Western Australian government has awarded a $73.7 million contract to Jacobs Solutions, a global technical services firm, to develop a spatial digital twin platform. This initiative is part of the first phase of the $140 million Spatial WA program, which aims to create a virtual environment for visualizing the state's landmass. The platform will enable government agencies to analyze spatial data and model future scenarios, supporting emergency response, infrastructure projects, digital approvals, and land management. The project is funded through the state's Digital Capability Fund and overseen by WA land information authority Landgate. The government is also planning to procure additional software licenses and hosting infrastructure, estimated to cost $39.4 million over 15 years.

Why It's Important?

The development of a digital twin platform is significant for Western Australia as it enhances the state's ability to manage and plan its land and infrastructure more effectively. By providing a comprehensive virtual model, the platform will improve decision-making processes in emergency response and infrastructure development. This initiative aligns with global trends where governments are increasingly adopting digital twin technology to optimize urban planning and resource management. The investment reflects a commitment to leveraging advanced technology for sustainable development and efficient governance, potentially setting a precedent for other regions to follow.

What's Next?

The Western Australian government will continue to develop the Spatial WA program, with the next step being the selection of a supplier for the Next Generation Spatial Cadastre (NGSC). This component will modernize the recording of property boundaries and ownership in 3D and 4D, replacing the current two-dimensional maps. Additionally, the government will procure third-party software licenses and hosting infrastructure to support the digital twin platform. As the project progresses, it is expected to attract interest from other states and regions considering similar technological advancements.