INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF PHOTOGRAMMETRY 
NATIONAL REPORT - AUSTRALIA 
  
INTRODUCTION 
Australia is a continent of approximately 3 million square miles; an area 
nearly three quarters that of the whole of Europe and almost as great as that of the 
United States of America, In terms of suitable map coverage however, Australia by com- 
parison to these two countries suffers considerably, 
As the main percentage of population of 10 million live on the eoastal fringe, 
f inland Australia are completely undeveloped, These areas, which for the 
d and devoid of road or railway may record temperatures in excess of 
conditions can be further aggravated in northern latitudes during 
all mechanised transport cannot move from the main roads, From 
be appreciated that Australia's mapping problems are con- 
European and other closely settled countries. 
  
most part, 
1207F in the 
  
   
   
     
,hese circums 
erably di 
     
During the latter half of the nineteenth century all states carried out a sys- 
m of triangulation within their own boundaries as the necessary frame-work upon which 
o tie subsequent surveys. This was carried out primarily for cadastral surveys but no 
attempt was made to produce any maps of a topographical nature nor connect adjoining 
triangulations togethe: 
    
    
  
Army recognising the necessity for topographical maps, created the 
Corps whose main function was to carry out topographieal mapping 
the direction of the Australian General Staff, This small body of surveyors which 
trarsferred from the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain carried out plane table surveys 
^ mile to 1 inch maps ] 
       
  
i 
mainly around the capital cities, As work progressed it soon 
apparent triangulation had to be extended and existing state triangulation nets co- 
LH Di l1 on one common. origin, This was carried out and mapping by this 
1936 when, for the first time, the vertical air photo was used in 
4 
table 
        
  
        
d 
With the establishment of Squadron by the Royal Australian Air 
  
      
   
    
    
  
  
Force, S supply.of « photographs available and this method of map com- 
pilation t eame stark practice, 
bs outbreak t was not able to supply her fighting 
rvic it} lequate rational areas, The Australian Survey Corps 
8. 1 refore considerabl; he services of the various State Lands 
rt te j eommereial flying a were co-opted resulting in considerable im- 
petu: LI LV t the ping pr 
During this period of; from air photos by plotting principal 
poil t vers or slotted Lat i adjusting to control poirts tied to a 
4 : - 4 4 4 
  
to astronomical fixations. Detail was 
   
      
  
       
th p 1 he were contoured by means of a 
stereosc his d supplemented vhere necessary by 
I + € Ï , 
Thi tat affairs continued until le end the war resulting in a con- 
ler | \ustralia and New Guinea being mapped ich would otherwise not have 
occurred if tl war had not taken place, 
\t the cessation of hostilities the Australian Survey Corps was considerably 
reduced but the Commonwealth Government created another mappinc or nisstinc. of civilian 
1 ynne 1 hich j now the Division of National Navp ittached to the Department of 
] LED lopment, These t mapping organisat carry out the mapping require- 
te n 4 Cr 1+] lover nt. 
A e T b 1 vari: Lands Departmert ate also created 
t3 t ir « de rt ts to meet the | te Governments, 
  
country took place causing 
  
  
ver i r j ( DA which were of interest to 
both C t1 d Stat Xoverl tht division of function and 
ct its S States are nor lar developmental pro jects 
tail resources ! tends to concentrate on 
> pal d lop LOin ti result there has 
I d tt hereb: 1:250,000 and smaller 
b O i: ed ] 28 carry out 
ral 5 p top and standard 
1 ,680 seal 11 { dition carries