Linda Morgan
Principal Consultant – Geodesy
The Geodetic System in Western Australia has been Linda Morgan’s life’s work and for over 35 years she has been at the forefront of new and developing technologies that improve the business of delivering a sustainable and viable geodetic network for users covering the 2.5 square kilometres that is Western Australia.
Linda has diverse experience and knowledge in the science and application of geodesy at the State, National and International levels and extensive knowledge and understanding of Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) network design, construction and operation; geodetic survey network design; GNSS data processing, analysis and network adjustments; geodetic datums, coordinate systems and transformations; geodetic survey standards as well as a thorough understanding of the operational issues involved in the management and dissemination of geodetic data.
From 2007- 2014, Linda was responsible for delivering the Western Australian component of the national CORS network under the AuScope Geospatial Infrastructure Project that saw a significant investment in Australia’s geodetic infrastructure. She played a key role in developing the business case to secure WA Government funding which assisted in building 26 stations in rural and remote regions throughout WA at a total cost of $3.4million. Her involvement encompassed all facets of the project including promoting the project, both within Landgate and to Stakeholders; ratifying contracts and agreements; managing the budget; developing policies and standards for the operation of the network; and regular reporting to the Federal government partners (AuScope), the National committee overseeing the project and all levels of Landgate management. This seven year project was successfully completed, under budget, in June 2014.
Linda has prepared two Geodetic Strategies for the Western Australian Government (Landgate), with the most recent, just being retired. Both involved industry engagement through questionnaires to understand current and future user needs and consultation within Landgate to promote the value and importance of the geodetic system to government and industry to ensure that all stakeholders had buy-in. Both strategies stood the test of time and provided a valuable reference for ongoing investment in the geodetic system.
Linda has also been involved in two national datum development and implementation programs in Australia – GDA94 and GDA 2020. She managed the 2.5-year project to convert all of Western Australia’s geodetic control (30000 survey marks) to GDA94. This project also involved rigorous testing of a transformation grid to convert all spatial datasets in WA. She also managed the WA government component of the GDA2020 project including preparation of a project brief to secure funding, management of the technical delivery, allocation of resources, scheduling, budgets, project reporting, documentation and participation in the National Implementation Working Group.
Linda represented Western Australia on the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping (ICSM) Permanent Committee on Geodesy (PCG) from 2001-16, and participated in regular national forums that set standards, strategies and policy for geodesy in Australia and New Zealand. Through this committee, she championed the need for a complete revision of the Standards and Practices for Control Surveys (SP1) and with her input, this was completed in 2013.
Linda is passionate about geodetic systems and the role they play in supporting all aspects of society from the largest construction project to the smallest land parcel survey.
