Frequently Asked Questions
Statistics
Q. I can't find any statistics, what statistics are included?
A. The statistics contained in the INCP at this stage are
limited to threatened species and ecological communities, catchments defined in
the water resources strategy and some basic information on some nature
reserves. Over time, more statistics and links will be included in the system.
Plans
Q. Why are only some of the plans listed?
A. An initial set of plans have been selected as part of the
establishment of the system. These plans include a selection of management
plans for nature reserves and related conservation issues.
Q. Why aren't all the chapters or sections in a plan
listed?
A. At this stage, the INCP contains a searchable list of the
"strategies" contained in a management plan. Where a chapter or section of a
plan does not contain a strategy, that chapter or section will not be listed.
Regional Planning Framework
Q. What is the Regional Planning Framework?
A. The Planning Framework for Natural Ecosystems - NSW Southern
Tablelands and ACT is a project undertaken by the Joint Regional
Biodiversity Working Group (JRBWG) with financial assistance from the Natural
Heritage Trust.
The Planning Framework for Natural Ecosystems presents regional-scale
information on natural ecosystems and biodiversity. It identifies important
species and ecological communities at the regional scale and accesses databases
which cross jurisdictional boundaries. Important regional issues for the
conservation of natural ecosystems are also identified. The scientific data
supporting the framework will be continuously updated as more information
becomes available.
Maps
Q. I can't see any of the layers I am looking for?
A. Some layers, due to the number of sites, may be difficult to
see at the full size of the map. Try zooming in further if you know where the
sites are, otherwise view the instructions section
for the mapping to see how to select the layer from the layer list and use the
"Zoom to layer" button to zoom the map to that layer.
For some layers that are still difficult to see, you may have to
turn some layers on or off in order to improve the contrast.
Q. Sometimes the layers are visible and other times they
aren't?
A. Some layers will be visible at all scales while others will
turn on and off depending on the scale at which the map is viewed. For example,
known sites of threatened species will turn off at a particular level to
protect the location of the site, whereas other layers such as streets only
turn on below a certain level to avoid the maps getting too clutered with
information.
Q. How are the layers derived?
A. Many of the contextual layers are sourced from the ACT
Government Corporate Geographic Database managed by the GIM Unit within the
Department of Urban Services and is the working information that the
organisation uses. Other layers such as those for threatened species represent
the sites of known habitat or known occurrence for the respective species.
Q. How does the mapping window work?
A. To find out how to use the mapping window view the
instructions section for the mapping for basic instructions on each of
the tools. If you are still having problems, contact
Environment ACT.
Q. I am using Netscape and the mapping is asking for a password
A. Because of the need for protection of the data in the map
services, some Netscape users have experienced difficulty and are asked for a
login and password. If this occurs, try clearing the cache or forcing a fresh
reload of the page.
Q. Why is the mapping slow?
The mapping is provided using the functionality of an internet
mapping program. When you undertake a function that involves redrawing a map,
the system builds an image representing the particular map. Each time you use
one of the map tools, the site sends the information to a server where the
datasets are queried and the information sent back to you as text or a map
image. Over broadband connections this can happen reasonably quickly however
dial-up connections will experience delays as the information takes longer to
transfer back and forth.