SouthPAN Project to Revolutionize GPS Accuracy in New Zealand and Australia

• The SouthPAN project, a collaboration between New Zealand and Australia, aims to significantly improve GNSS technology, offering precise positioning accuracy up to 10 centimeters.
• Installation of two 11-metre satellite dishes at the Awarua ground control centre marks a major milestone, enhancing positioning reliability across both countries.
• The project promises substantial economic benefits, including the creation of high-tech jobs and an estimated $864 million economic boost for New Zealand over 20 years.

New Zealand and Australia’s space sectors are making strides with the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN) project, setting a new standard in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology. This initiative promises to drastically enhance positioning precision and reliability throughout both nations.

In Invercargill, near the bottom of New Zealand, the project has recently seen significant progress with the installation of two large 11-metre satellite dishes at the Awarua ground control centre. This centre, along with its counterpart in Uralla, New South Wales, is building a powerful network to improve GNSS accuracy across the region.

By utilizing advanced Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS), SouthPAN will fine-tune satellite data with ground measurements, aiming to reduce current GPS positioning errors from 5-10 metres to an extraordinary 10 centimetres. This improvement is expected to benefit numerous sectors, including agriculture, forestry, construction, and transportation, by enabling more efficient and precise operations.

The construction and operational phases of the Awarua centre are anticipated to create at least six specialized jobs in Southland, highlighting the project’s contribution to local economic development. By its completion in 2028, SouthPAN is also expected to significantly enhance aviation safety, allowing aircraft to navigate safely in challenging weather conditions where current limitations exist.

This groundbreaking project, a joint effort between Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and Geoscience Australia, is forecasted to bring $864 million in economic benefits to New Zealand over the next two decades. With its focus on improved accuracy and reliability, SouthPAN is poised to transform various industries and cement New Zealand and Australia’s positions as leaders in GNSS technology.