The institutions that enable use of spatial information are as important as specific initiatives to develop it. In Victoria, the Victorian Spatial Council provides the formal mechanism for supporting the advancement of Victoria's social, economic and environmental goals through the provision and application of spatial information. It does this by providing a coordinated approach to policy and development initiatives, and facilitating opportunities for partnerships, collaboration, and education.

It has set the framework in which government initiatives should be developed through the Victorian Spatial Information Strategy 2008-2010, and identifies the roles and responsibilities of all sectors of the spatial information community in implementing its objectives.

It has been a significant contributor to and supporter of the advancement of Victorian government initiatives, such as the Notification and Editing Service, Coordinated Imagery Program, and Positioning Regional Victoria.

It ensures that all sectors have a voice in setting the direction for spatial information in Victoria. The presentation will describe the Council; outline the framework for spatial information management and development adopted in Victoria, including the policies and guidelines that underpin it; set out its communication strategy; outline current activities and major initiatives it is supporting; and illustrate how it is responding to government on issues such as access to public sector information.

It will conclude that, while there are significant challenges in promoting the value of spatial information to both government and the wider community, we have developed a model that has had some significant successes and demonstrates the benefits of a multi-sectoral approach.