A new planning tool has been developed by the Land Information New Zealand and Canterbury recovery agencies as part of the new Forward Works Spatial Coordination (FWSC) project, which aims to develop a shared view of horizontal infrastructure repair and built environment construction plans and activities.

“This tool will enable enhanced decision-making on the scheduling and sequencing of public sector construction activities, and will facilitate coordination with private sector landowners and property developers on their works planning,” says LINZ Acting Geospatial Custodian Rob Deakin.

“This will help to maximise the pace and efficiency of the built environment recovery, minimising costs and disruption due to scheduling clashes, and minimise impact on the transport network, and inconvenience to road users.”

The new tool provides a single, integrated view of forward works – with time frames, locations and other relevant information – by combining data from different authoritative sources. This enables decision makers to arrive at well-informed decisions and contribute to improved efficiencies in various recovery efforts.

Deakin added that other outcomes stakeholders can expect are reduced conflicts, costs, and delays to repair infrastructure, which in turn, will mean a faster economic recovery and enhanced community well being.

“Further development of the tool is planned as other rebuild programmes are integrated, and coordination constraints are identified, and we plan to release a publicly accessible forward works viewer within a few months,” he said.