Use of the Technical Specifications

The GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA TOPOGRAPHIC DATA AND MAP SPECIFICATIONS are made up of 3 main sections.

Section 1 clarifies the aspects of the feature based model used for the National Topographic Database (NTDB). It provides information on a variety of topics relating to the model design and population principals including:

• defining planimetric and altimetric accuracies
• clarifying feature content, topological structure requirements and feature level metadata
• defining datum, spatial extents and projection information, as well as
• the rules used in the collection and attribution of the data.

This feature based model is used for the capture, revision and maintenance of topographic data and is used as a basis in the production of series and customised mapping. The key characteristics required of this feature based model is national consistency and assured quality.

Section 2 provides the rules and guidelines for the generation of the Geoscience Australia 1:100 000 and 1:250 000 National Topographic Map Series products as well as smaller scale General Reference Map (eg 1:2 500 000) products. It includes the relevant standards expected for map accuracy, datum control, map generalisation principles, map symbology and masking rules, type selection and placement rules, type (font & size) specification and standard type abbreviations.

Sections 2 is designed to allow use outside this combined specification. However, for data and map production purposes (capture, revision and maintenance) all sections of the specification should be read together, as specifications for one product impact on the others. Similarly the specification covers 1:25 000 to 1:10 000 000 scale products. Elements specific to one scale or the other are identified within the specifications.

Section 3 provides information on a variety of topics related to revision processes and materials, model structure, general concepts in relation to data capture and attribution as well as more specific notes on individual feature capture and attribution in relation to its surrounding environment. This section includes information on data and map submission requirements to Geoscience Australia from their external producers.

A number of Appendices support the three sections.

Appendix A - the Feature Type Dictionary is the primary reference containing detailed information on the definition, conditions of use and other reference information for valid feature types.

These specifications and the associated table below represent the Production geodatabase schema. This schema differs in structure and precision to the Distribution geodatabase schema supplied by Geoscience Australia to the public via on-line downloads and packaged products. A distribution schema to production schema cross reference, as well as a production schema to distribution schema cross reference is provided to assist in translation by users.

Users should always refer to the Feature Type Cross Reference Tables in Appendix R as a first step, to ensure the entity they are dealing with is listed as a feature type, many feature types are known by various names by different individuals, organisations and States. The column titled 'Commonly used term' of the Feature Type Cross Reference Tables lists the known names for features while the 'Feature Type' column guides the user to the name used for the feature type in the specifications.

Below is a complete list on the Sections and Appendices held within this specification. Each Section and Appendix provides a link to all areas on the left hand side of the page, to gain a heading description for each Section and Appendix merely rest your mouse on the link.

Section/Appendix	Heading
Amendment Register
Use of the Technical Specifications
Distribution and Suggestions for Change
Section 1	National Topographic Database Structure and Specifications
Section 2	National Topographic Map Series (NTMS) And General Reference Map Specifications
Section 3	National Topographic Database Production Information
Appendix A	Feature Type Dictionary
Appendix B	NTMS Map Layout Guides and associated Marginalia Information
Appendix C	Fence and Water Facility Guide
Appendix D	Inland Water Features Guide
Appendix E	Limits of Oceans and Seas
Appendix F	Listing of Non Spatial Tables
Appendix G	1:250 000 & 1:100 000 NTMS Map Indexes
Appendix H	Map Boundaries / Extents Guide
Appendix J	Validation Tests
Appendix L	Glossary
Appendix M	The Geocentric Datum of Australia
Appendix N	History of the National Topographic Map Series (NTMS), NATMAP Series and GEODATA Vector Product
Appendix O	Indigenous Lands Guide
Appendix P	Map Grid of Australia 100 000 Metre Square Identification Diagram
Appendix R	Feature Type Cross Reference Tables
Appendix S	Symbol Dictionary for Topographic Map Production
Appendix T	Type Style Samples
Appendix U	Imagery Interpretation Guide
Appendix V	Product Specifications
Appendix W	Map Printing Orders
Appendix X	Listing of Domain Tables and Definitions
Appendix Y	Listing of Cartographic Representations
Appendix Z	Listing of Topology Rule Sets

Please Note: Appendix Q Geodata / Geodatabase Cross Reference has been discontinued in Version 6 as the majority of users have advanced from the use of ArcInfo Coverage Format.

Please Note: There have been deliberate gaps left in the naming of the appendices (Appendix I,K), as these letters have been designated for future inclusions within this specification.