A world leading computer system developed at the Australian Antarctic Division in Tasmania that automates the reporting of environmental data has been nominated as a finalist for a prestigious international award.

Developers of the System for Indicator Management and Reporting (SIMR) are among three contenders for the Natural Resource Management Award at the 2002 Asia Pacific Information and Communication Technology Awards, to be held on the Gold Coast this weekend.

SIMR, which was developed over a period of two years, is a cost-effective electronic alternative to paper versions of state of the environment (SOE) reports, which are often voluminous and rapidly outdated, said Lee Belbin, the manager of the Australian Antarctic Data Centre. “Once established, this interactive system requires minimal resources to maintain, is always up to date and can report 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,'' said Mr Belbin.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Antarctic Dr Sharman Stone said the award nomination was recognition of the excellent but often unsung research and development work undertaken by the Australian Antarctic Division.

“The SIMR was an important component to the Australian Antarctic Division being awarded ISO 14005 certification in September this year,'' Dr Stone said. “The environmental consultants who evaluated our environmental management system noted that SIMR was the most advanced application of which they were aware,'' said Dr Stone.

The Asia Pacific ICT Awards will be announced tomorrow night.

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