Geocoded address data key to infrastructure development

Up to 80% of all data globally has a location component that most people use on a daily basis, according to estimations.

Accurate location information matters — and everyone benefits from location data whenever they search online for the nearest cafe, the current temperature or check the fastest commute home.

Accurate address data benefits all tiers of government as it supports consistent service delivery and effective policymaking, and helps build out innovation capability in the public sector.

“Everything happens somewhere, making location a really useful means for interpreting and analysing information,” said Dan Paull, CEO of PSMA Australia.

“The one location attribute that is virtually universal across business and government is address.”

PSMA Australia’s Geocoded National Address File (G-NAF) remains the most comprehensive and trusted address database in the country. As the only address database that combines more than 30 million addresses from all state and territory governments, it underpins a diverse range of policy and business systems.

“As an authoritative database of geocoded addresses, G-NAF provides the essential connection between all other textural data including property, roads and points of interest,” said Paull.

Continuous improvement is key to the lasting value of the dataset. G-NAF undergoes regular product updates with each release benefiting from output modifications and new features. The latest update makes tracking address changes even easier, particularly new and retired addressable objects, with a new Address Feature table.

“Each G-NAF update captures user feedback and product analysis,” said Dean Coslett, Data Expertise Manager at PSMA Australia.

“Our latest one also reduces address duplication by approximately 118,000 addresses, offering even better accuracy and reliability.

“G-NAF’s new Address Feature table helps users identify the specific components that may have changed in an address,” Coslett said.

“For instance, if an address changes from a property lot number to a rural address with allocated street numbers, or if there is a change to a locality boundary. It has the added feature of retaining retired addresses that have been replaced with a new address, offering a full history.”

Rolled out in August 2018, this latest update reinforces PSMA’s reputation for consistent product updates that provide high-quality, reliable data that meets the complex needs of both business and government.

Available as a data package, software solution or web service, G-NAF can be tailored to provide sector-specific information. Enriched with geographic coordinates (geocodes), ABS mesh block identifiers and aliases, G-NAF has become an essential dataset for Australia’s business and government decision-makers in many states and territories. For example, emergency response dispatch centres use G-NAF to respond to emergency calls.

G-NAF is available through PSMA Australia’s reseller network or under open data terms on data.gov.au.

Image courtesy of PSMA Australia.

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