Understanding G-NAF
Abstract
In March 2004, following the six month initial Build, PSMA Australia launched its Geocoded National Address File (G-NAF). The release of G-NAF was the culmination of many years of effort by PSMA Australia and its partners to develop the concept of an authoritative geocoded address database for Australia. Following a tender process in mid 2003, PSMA Australia contracted LogicaCMG and Geometry to build and maintain G-NAF based on the methodology developed by PSMA Australia.
G-NAF has been constructed from addresses provided by all the States and Territories of Australia (Jurisdictions), Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and Australia Post (collectively the Contributors). Importantly, construction and maintenance of G-NAF also involves referencing other PSMA Australia datasets, namely CadLite®, Transport & Topography and the Administrative Boundaries dataset (containing the gazetted localities file), during the spatial addresses validation process.
Since its launch, G-NAF has being updated on a three monthly cycle and at the time of publication, five updates will have been released. Considerable improvements to the dataset have been realised since its initial release, as the Contributors have continued to improve their own datasets, and greater intelligence is introduced into the maintenance process.
This paper provides an overview of G-NAF, the updating processes that have been established and the important role the Reference datasets play in address validation. Some of the many challenges faced during maintenance are discussed along with their solutions and the influence that in turn have on the G-NAF itself. This analysis then leads to some important insights into the content and structure of the G-NAF and will deepen understanding and enhance effective utilisation of the G-NAF database.
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