The Ministry for the Environment is contributing $1.2 million toward the Otago Regional Council project to complete fly-over LiDAR ground mapping coverage across the province.

ORC’s spatial analyst for natural hazards, Andrew Welsh, said Otago and parts of Fiordland are the only regions without full LiDAR coverage, so MfE’s contribution is invaluable in helping achieve full coverage across Otago in the near future.

LiDAR (light detection and ranging), mapping improves ground elevation datasets, and involves sending a beam of light from a device on a low-flying plane, which bounces back from the ground to give a measurement of land elevation.

Presently there’s about 10,200 sq km of existing LiDAR data over 28% of Otago; with coverage including parts of Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts, Dunedin and Mosgiel, down the coast from the Waitaki River to the Catlins and the Clutha and Waitaki rivers’ catchments.

“The new project and flyovers of four inland and the alpine lakes areas will collate a further 23,000 sq km of data, or 72% of Otago. Combined with the earlier flyover data, there’ll be 100% LiDARcoverage of the province; all eventually accessible to the public.”

“The data LiDAR generates is invaluable in understanding and preparing for natural hazards, such as flooding, erosion or landslips, as well as assisting with infrastructure management, hydrology and catchment planning,” he said. 

The LiDAR mapping information will be made publicly available for anyone to use once it is captured and processed.

 Andrew said with the contract recently signed, flights have already begun around the Southwest area, with the entire project expected to be completed over 2-3 years. Budgeting each year has been

included in ORC’s Long-Term Plan.