Orienteering ACT was one of Canberra’s sporting organisations to receive 2025 grant funding from the ACT Government. OACT had applied for and was successful in obtaining $40,380 through the Club Enhancement Program (CEP) and the State Organisation Support Program (SOSP). The funding support will be used to purchase a drone and lidar unit for mapping and implementing an enhanced Mesh-O radio network.
Extracts from the applications submitted by OACT are:
Drone and Lidar Unit: Accurate, up-to-date maps are essential for a quality experience of orienteering. Incorrect mapping of the vegetation in particular can lead to frustration when the chosen route comprises thick, slow undergrowth rather than the easy fast running represented on the map. The LIDAR drone will enable frequent updating of orienteering maps with significantly reduced volunteer requirements, building on our existing experience using LIDAR data. While map makers have been utilising LIDAR data, they have been dependent on publicly available data or paying for LIDAR surveys from commercial operators with commensurately high costs. Ownership of the drone will provide OACT with much greater flexibility for improving maps through the use of the mapping digital tools. For example, data can be downloaded from the drone and the mapping software run while in the field. The mapping software parameters can then be adjusted live in the field to better reflect the vegetation.
Mesh-O: Implementation of enhanced radio tracking technology items to improve competitor safety and emergency management at events, and to provide an improved experience for participants and supporters. The items will be configured to enable event organisers to better track competitors start times, their progress on course and finish times. If a competitor is late in completing a course the event organisers will have clearer information on where the competitor may be found. The technology will be used to provide real time display of competitors progress for spectators and supporters.
Thanks to Matt Stocks, David Stocks and Tate Needham who provided the plain English versions of the technical requirements and project plans that were required by the ACT Government as supporting evidence in the applications.
Detail of ACT Government Sport & Recreation 2025 grant recipients is at; Funding Recipients – Sport and Recreation