Canberra is to become a testbed for a series of high-tech solutions to city planning and management problems.

State-of-the-art technology will be applied to a range of government services with an agreement signed last week by Mr Gary Humphries, the ACT Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning, and Dr John O'Callaghan, Chief of the CSIRO Division of Information Technology.

The agreement marks a step towards a future where new schools and shopping centres are built exactly where they are needed, there is a finely tuned and responsive public transport system and traffic congestion is closely monitored and kept to a minimum.

CSIRO researchers will make use of Canberra's complete set of databases, ACTMAP and the Planning and Lease Manager System, which include the location of land parcels, land titles and roads. The quality of the ACT data has provided scientists with a unique testbed to work with real world situations, said Dr O'Callaghan.

Pilot projects may include linking ACT data sources through the Internet for quick and simple access and the development of a system to allow planners to view 'what-if' scenarios, such as the placement of new schools and facilities, water and sewage, and changes to traffic systems, said Dr O'Callaghan.

The ACT projects will involve industry partners to develop commercial solutions for the growing international market.

More information from: Dr Dave Abel (06) 216 7033 or Ms Kate Brown (02) 9325 3102