Queensland Earth Observation Hub

RGSQ Lecture Series

Gavin Kennedy 

Satellites have transformed the way we observe and understand geography, extending the traditions of mapping and survey into space. The Queensland Earth Observation Hub is a unique state-based initiative bringing researchers, industry, and government together to turn satellite data into practical tools for monitoring and managing land, coasts, and sea for everything from agriculture and mining to environmental management. This lecture will share project stories, from woody weed mapping in plantations to digital twins of mangrove coasts and hyperspectral monitoring of coral reefs, to show how Earth observation is helping to shape Queensland’s future. It is not all happy stories though, as we will also discuss the challenges of data continuity and the growing importance of building sovereign capability in Earth observation.

Bio: Gavin Kennedy is a geospatial professional with FrontierSI and is the Coordinator of the Queensland Earth Observation Hub, an initiative of SmartSat CRC and the Queensland Government, where he manages more than $3M in EO projects and building collaborations between researchers, industry, and government. He has over 40 years’ experience in ICT and geospatial innovation with a career spanning CSIRO, Fugro, AARNet, and international work with CERN.

Image: Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef, Landsat 8, NASA