- $800,000 from Investment Attraction Fund for Perth-based company LatConnect 60 to capture Earth observation (EO) data
- LatConnect 60 is the only privately owned company in Australia with capacity ownership and direct access to an Earth observation satellite
The Cook Government has invested $800,000 to advance the State’s Earth Observation (EO) capabilities through the collection, processing, analysis and application of high-resolution satellite data.
LatConnect 60 is a Western Australian technology company that generates vital insights from EO data.
After successfully applying and being granted funding from the State Government’s Investment Attraction Fund, LatConnect 60 will capture EO data and create a digital platform (EONet60) to provide broad access to EO data in WA and ensure that local industries and community share in the benefits.
Through EONet60, the WA Government will receive 900,000km of high-resolution optical data captured from the SSTLS1-4 EO satellite by LatConnect 60.
Use of EO data can aid in the remote monitoring of farms to improve crop yield, provide insights into environmental outcomes over time and enhance emergency monitoring and response.
The Investment Attraction Fund was established to encourage new investment in WA, create local jobs and diversify the State’s economy.
Forty projects have received funds through the IAF with a total of more than $148 million committed.
As stated by Science Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Earth observation data is a fantastic investment in Western Australia’s future and has been made possible through the Cook Government’s Investment Attraction Fund.
“Having access to 900,000km worth of high-resolution Earth observation imagery will prove invaluable and allow the WA Government to have insights which weren’t available to us before.
“EONet60 will position WA as a national leader in end-to-end Earth observation services, and ensure that the State directly benefits from the growth of the sector and increasing demand for EO data.”
