About the Organisation
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is Queensland's leading natural resource management agency. It's responsible for protecting the state's precious natural resources and ensuring their sustainable use. With over 2,000 staff across 170 sites, DAF plays a vital role in supporting Queensland's agricultural industries, guarding the environment, and promoting sustainable land management practices.
Scenario
Fire ants pose a significant threat to Queensland’s environment, agriculture, and public health. As a category 1 "super pest", fire ants can cause serious damage to crops and infrastructure, disrupt natural ecosystems, and inflict painful stings on humans and animals. To tackle this threat, DAF embarked on an ambitious 10-year fire ant eradication plan.
A critical challenge facing DAF was the need to modernise its fire ant reporting and monitoring systems. The existing system relied heavily on paper-based data collection, which was inefficient and prone to errors. This outdated method hindered DAF's ability to accurately track fire ant infestations, assess the effectiveness of eradication efforts, and make informed decisions.
Composable Solutions Delivered
To address these challenges, April9 teamed up with DAF to develop an innovative in-field data capture platform. This solution utilised iPads to empower DAF fire ant inspectors to collect and manage data in real-time. The platform enabled inspectors to:
Input data directly from the field, eliminating the need for manual transcription
Update job status and provide information regarding access to properties
Report on the severity of infestations and the success of treatments
Schedule follow-up treatments and take photographs for documentation
Add comments and observations from both the inspector and the property owner
All data collected through the platform was securely uploaded to DAF's central database, creating a single source of truth for fire ant infestation information. Additionally, the platform was integrated with GIS mapping software, providing inspectors with real-time access to detailed maps and data layers. This integration enabled inspectors to:
Quickly identify fire ant nests upon arrival at properties
Navigate efficiently to infestation sites using layered GIS maps
Mark newly discovered nests for future treatment
