Training provides for uniform data capture

Training in state government data collection was front and centre for a number of Cape York NRM staff during August with courses in the SWIF framework (State-Wide Indicators Framework) in Townsville and VegCAT methodology in Atherton. 

While the technical terminology may appear baffling to the uninitiated, the information is vital in ensuring a uniform, coherent record of land, vegetation or soil condition monitoring across Queensland to enable viable field data comparisons and management practices. 

“As they say, you can’t compare apples with oranges,” Cape York NRM Fire Coordinator Andrew Drenen, who took part in the VegCAT training, said. “A lot of our work is about setting benchmarks in land and vegetation condition, and comparing data year in year out to assess whether management actions are having an impact.”

VegCAT stands for Vegetation Condition Assessment Tool, which enables collection of field data using a consistent and user-friendly Survey123 app on a mobile device to collect, store and analyse the field data.

Andrew joined Cape York NRM staff and staff from other North Queensland NRMs as well as community groups to undertake the training, which was led by NRM consultant Penny Scott, who has been at the forefront of developing the framework.

“The combination of VegCAT theory and practical field demonstrations was spot on. All attendees felt comfortable to implement the monitoring method in the field. It was also a great opportunity to improve our skills in using the Survey123 app on a mobile device to collect, store and analyse the field data."

It is a rapid assessment tool progressively implemented throughout Queensland in recent years. VegCAT is one of a suite of standardised data collection methods developed under SWIF.

SWIF was initiated in 2019 by the Queensland Government in collaboration with Natural Resource Management Regions Queensland (NRMRQ), in response to the recognition of a necessity for a consistent approach to monitoring of Natural Resource assets across the State. 

The SWIF workshop in Townsville was attended by members from NRMRQ across the state as well as representatives from the Department of Resources.

For Sustainable Industries Officer Kathrina Southwell, the workshop proved invaluable to her recent appointment at Cape York NRM. 

“The workshop included an overview of SWIF and monitoring and evaluation of projects, capturing knowledge and data, and people and communities surveys and achievements. We also discussed issues, gaps, challenges and opportunities,” she said. “It was great to get the bigger picture on data collection.” 

Anybody can access results of Queensland's NRM projects through the SWIF website and 'dashboard' located at https://www.nrmrq.org.au/about-swif/