A User’s Guidelbp.asn.au/UsersGuide.pdf · Business Development Officer (Environmental Planning Tool) WALGA ONE70, LV 1, 170 Railway Parade West Leederville Phone: (08) 9213 2521

Environmental Planning Tool

A User’s Guide

2019

www.walga.asn.au 2

Contact:

Business Development Officer (Environmental Planning Tool)

WALGA

ONE70, LV 1, 170 Railway Parade West Leederville

Phone: (08) 9213 2521

Fax: (08) 9213 2077

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.walga.asn.au

http://www.walga.asn.au/

mailto:[email protected]


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Contents

1 Introduction – About the Environmental Planning Tool ........................................ 4 2 Using the Environmental Planning Tool (EPT) .................................................... 6 2.1 System Requirements ...................................................................................... 6

2.2 Logging into the EPT ........................................................................................ 6 2.3 Basic Use ......................................................................................................... 7 2.3.1 The Application and Settings ........................................................................... 7 2.3.2 Map Browser ................................................................................................... 9 2.3.3 Map Navigation ............................................................................................. 12

2.3.4 Measuring ..................................................................................................... 12 2.3.5 Selecting Features ........................................................................................ 13 2.3.6 Searching for specific localities ..................................................................... 18 2.3.7 Reports .......................................................................................................... 19 2.3.8 Printing and Saving Maps ............................................................................. 22

3 Project Files and Annotation Sets ...................................................................... 24 3.1 Recording Frequently Used Locations, Themes and Selections ..................... 24 3.2 Annotations .................................................................................................... 27

3.2.1 Creating Annotation Sets ............................................................................ 28

3.2.2 Working with Annotation Sets ..................................................................... 29 3.2.3 Annotation Set Properties ........................................................................... 31 3.2.4 General Properties Editor ............................................................................ 34

3.2.5 Correcting Mistakes .................................................................................... 48 3.2.6 Editing Annotation Sets ............................................................................... 48 3.2.7 Saving Annotation Sets ............................................................................... 53

3.2.7.1 Saving Annotations as Project Files ............................................................. 53 3.2.7.2 Saving Annotation Sets ................................................................................ 54

3.2.7.3 Saving Annotations as Shape files ............................................................... 54 3.2.8 Symbolising Imported Shape Files in the EPT ............................................ 55

3.2.9 Slope/Transect Profiler .................................................................................... 58 3.3 Specific Annotation Property Editors .............................................................. 60 3.3.1 Vegetation Condition - Keighery Scale ........................................................ 60 3.3.2 Vegetation Condition - Kaesehagen Scale .................................................. 61 3.3.3 Infrastructure ............................................................................................... 62 3.3.4 Weed Density and Weed Control ................................................................ 62

3.3.5 Dieback Extent ............................................................................................ 63 3.3.6 Dieback Control ........................................................................................... 64 3.3.7 Feral Animal Control ................................................................................... 64 3.3.8 Photopoint ................................................................................................... 65 3.3.8.1 Photos with GPS coordinates ....................................................................... 65

3.3.8.2 Photos without GPS coordinates .................................................................. 66 3.3.8.3 Changing photo points symbology ............................................................... 67

3.3.8.4 Enabling automatic photopoint labelling ....................................................... 68 3.3.8.5 Generating Photopoint Reports .................................................................... 68 3.3.9 BAL Vegetation Assessment ....................................................................... 69 3.3.10 SLK markers.................................................................................................. 73

Appendix: EPT Icons Reference .............................................................................. 75


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1 Introduction – About the Environmental Planning Tool

The Environmental Planning Tool (EPT) is a web-based application providing easy access to

a range of spatial data relevant to decision making at local and broader scales, informing

land use, infrastructure, environmental and bushfire risk management planning by Local

Government. The main benefit of this sector-specific tool is access to streamlined regulatory

processes via the EPT’s unique reporting functions and workflow efficiencies achieved in

information searches and data collection.

Specific tasks that can be undertaken using the Environmental Planning Tool include:

• Running site/area specific reports

• Accessing information on vegetation retention/protection status (statistics)

• Informing land use planning at all levels

• Delivering projects under provisions of Minor Infrastructure Purpose Permit for native

vegetation clearing

• Informing licence applications for prescribed premises

• Informing local natural area prioritisation/conservation planning

• Reviewing and preparing comments on development applications/external reports

• Verifying bushfire risk assessment reports/management plans

• Preparing bushfire risk management plans

• Planning and monitoring natural area management

• Designing and planning for restoration of ecological linkages

• Preparing grant applications/tender specifications

• Creating maps for reports including local planning strategies, environmental

strategies, greening plans or management plans

• Enabling clear communication between stakeholders.

Guidance on how to interpret the spatial information available through the Environmental

Planning Tool is available through a separate document, the Explanatory Notes. The

Explanatory Notes collate data descriptions and interpretations for datasets representing a

range of environmental and other relevant issues. All dataset titles that are underlined in the

EPT map side bar (Legend) or in the EPT generated Reports are linked to an explanatory

text within this document.

The EPT should be used as a decision support tool and is designed to enable an efficient

desktop assessment of proposed land use changes, infrastructure upgrades or development

proposals. It is not intended to be a stand-alone, all-inclusive environmental assessment.

Please note the use of the Environmental Planning Tool is subject to a strict Licence

Agreement. Please read carefully the information displayed on the login page of the

Environmental Planning Tool.


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2 Using the Environmental Planning Tool (EPT)

2.1 System Requirements

There are two options for accessing the Environmental Planning Tool. Both will require a

computer with internet access with at least 1GB of RAM. This should include any computer

made in the last 8-10 years running Windows XP or later, or Mac OSX 11.5 or later.

DESKTOP EPT

To use the Desktop EPT you will need to download the Desktop EPT zip file, which is a

folder that contains an application to run. No software or special IT administrative access is

required to run the Desktop EPT. To download the zip file, follow the instructions as per the

link below for a PC or Mac:

https://walga.asn.au/Policy-Advice-and-Advocacy/Environment/Environmental-Planning-

Tool.aspx

WEB VERSION EPT

The web version of the EPT allows data viewing and reporting on selectable layers. It does

not include any of the data creation functions (annotations) but is useful when needing to

quickly check information during site visits or without a need to download the desktop

application.

To access the web version of the EPT use the https://lbp.asn.au/index_ept.html (subscription

only) or use https://lbp.asn.au/index_public.html

2.2 Logging into the EPT

After you've downloaded the Desktop EPT zip file, open the file and unpack it into a new

folder. Open the created EPT folder and double-click on "ept.exe" application file, identified

by the following icon .

For Mac users, double-click on the "EPT_Mac_launcher.command" script.

This initiates a sequence where the latest Desktop EPT application is downloaded from the

WALGA web server and run. After it is downloaded you will be presented with a login

window:


https://walga.asn.au/Policy-Advice-and-Advocacy/Environment/Environmental-Planning-Tool.aspx

https://walga.asn.au/Policy-Advice-and-Advocacy/Environment/Environmental-Planning-Tool.aspx

https://lbp.asn.au/index_ept.html

https://lbp.asn.au/index_public.html

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Enter your specific login details, as provided by WALGA for EPT subscribers, or click in the

public login box if you are not a subscriber. Press OK to launch the Desktop EPT

application.

2.3 Basic Use

2.3.1 The Application and Settings

When the Environmental Planning Tool is opened, the application will appear with the map

zoomed into the locality of a Local Government that used its specific login. In the example

below, the City of Greater Geraldton’s login was used (Figure 1).

Figure 1: An example of a screen view following a successful login into the EPT for the City of Greater Geraldton.


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When logging in as a public user or non-Local Government subscriber, the application’s map

view will show the full extent of the State (Figure 2).

Figure 2: An example of an alternative screen view following a successful login for public and other specific users.

In the EPT interface functions menu, a ‘Settings’ options allows the scaling of the EPT

display. Settings options are available in the menu bar under the File heading (Figure 3).

When selected, a ‘Display’ window will open with two size options:

Standard – suitable for use on personal computers.

Large – selecting this option will double the display of icons, function buttons, text

and the map view. This option is suitable for EPT display on projectors, large screens

or TV sets used for demonstrations.

Note: For the changes to take effect the EPT must be re-started.

Figure 3: Changing the EPT display settings.


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2.3.2 Map Browser

The main browser window provides the major functions of the EPT. The different areas of

the map browser are shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4: The main features of the EPT map browser.

The Map View contains a top-down or aerial view of an area – a map. The data that is draw

in the map is specified by which layers are chosen to display in the Layer Selector. There is

a scale bar in the bottom right hand corner and a compass in the bottom left hand corner.

The Layer Selector allows users to specify which layers of data are displayed in the Map

View. Click in the left check box to display or hide a layer. Where a layer name is

underlined you may click on the name to open a web page describing the data.

Map View

Divider bar

Coordinate Display

Turn on and off layer visibility and labelling checkboxes.

Transparency slider to adjust the visibility of overlapping layers. The “S” indicates that the features of the layer can be selected.

Toolbar

Menu bar

Double-click on the folder icon to open. Click on underlined title to view information about the layer described in the linked Explanatory Notes.

Layer Selector

Figure 5: Tools to allow data layer viewing.


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Layers which have labels have an additional checkbox to the right of the visibility checkbox.

A black "L" indicates that labels are turned on, light grey indicates they are turned off. You

can adjust the transparency of the layer from completely transparent to fully opaque by

dragging the pin on the transparency slider or by clicking on any part of the slider bar.

Mapping layers that can be selected using the EPT selection tools (see section 2.3.5) are

identified by a bold "S" after the transparency percentage.

The "Switch to legend view..." button on the bottom of the Layer Selector (Figure 6) allows

the display of layers which are activate by the user and hides any unused layers.

Figure 6: ‘Switch to legend view...’ button is located on the bottom of the Layer Selector

Pressing this button switches from layer select view to legend view, providing a simple,

uncluttered view of just the selected layers and their legend in drawing order (Figure 7).

To switch back to layer select view click on the "Switch to layer select view..." button or click

anywhere in the legend.

The Layer Selector can be resized by dragging the divider bar right to left or minimising and

maximising using the divider bar arrows.

The Toolbar contains a number of tools that can be used to manipulate the layers displayed

in the Map View e.g. measuring, panning/zooming, and selecting specific features. These

are described in sections 2.3.3 to 2.3.8.


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A Menu bar contains further functions organised by topic. Use of the tools under the File

heading is described in section 4 of this document and the use of Themes, Locations and

Selections is described in section 4.1 of this document.

The ‘Coordinate Display’ shows the position of the mouse pointer in map coordinates as the

pointer is moved around the map. Click on the Coordinate Display to cycle through a range

of map projections commonly used in Western Australia. This will change the coordinate

units for both the display and the coordinate entry options.

Figure 8: Coordinate Display and coordinates search option are located under the Layer Selector in the EPT.

To locate a specific location, enter coordinates of that specific location using the provided

entry fields and click "Go" to centre the map to the specified position. A centring cross hair

will be displayed which can be turned on and off with the "Show" button.

Figure 7: An example of a legend view display within the Layer Selector, showing only layers that are on display in the Map Viewer.


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2.3.3 Map Navigation

Map navigation consists of “panning” and “zooming” to change the location and extent of the

area being viewed in the Map Viewer window.

Pan Tool. Use this to move the map in any direction. Click on the map, hold down the

mouse button and move the mouse to pan the map.

, Zoom in/out. Magnify or reduce the map scale by 100%.

Although pan and zoom tools are provided, you can use the click-drag motion to pan the

map and use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in and out within the Map Viewer.

Go to previous. Use to return to the previous extent of the map view window. For

example, after zooming out of a project area, use this button to return to the project area

instead of zooming in again. The system retains records of all map views after opening the

application.

2.3.4 Measuring

There are three tools provided for measuring distances and areas.

Line Distance Tool. To measure the straight-line distance between two points, click on

a point on the screen you want to measure from and click on the point you want to measure

to. After you click on the first point you’ll notice the distance display located next to the

‘Coordinates Display’ will update as you move the mouse.

Multi-point Line Distance Tool. To measure the cumulative distance of non-linear

features, click on the multiple points and enter the last point with a double-click. The

cumulative distance will be displayed interactively next to the ‘Coordinates Display’. This is

useful for calculating the distances of tracks, streamline sections, boundaries and other non-

linear features.

Area Calculation Tool. To calculate the size of an area and measure its perimeter,

click on at least three points to create a polygon and enter the last point with a double-click.

The area size and its perimeter will be displayed next to the ‘Coordinates Display’ (Figure 9).

Figure 9: An example of area measurements shown for a polygon created using the Area Calculation Tool.


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A Note about Projections

The EPT uses two types of projections. The Western Australian Albers projection is used for

all measurements and calculations. It is a standard projection system that works across

Western Australia. To allow for easy access to specific types of data used by other web-

based mapping systems such as Google Maps, the Web Mercator is used to display the

EPT data in Map Viewer. As a consequence, some features might appear distorted in the

Map Viewer.

2.3.5 Selecting Features

“Features” are the basic data elements manipulated by the mapping system. Each feature

represents a single record of interest e.g. a Threatened Ecological Community record, a

clump of remnant vegetation, a stream section, a wetland, an ecological linkage.

These features may have data associated with them. For example, a land parcel may have

lot number, street name and postcode as properties. Features use three basic geometrical

types to represent their location: points, lines and polygons.

Features or mapping layers listed in the Layer Selector that are selectable using the EPT

selection tools are identified by "S" after their transparency display:

Figure 10: 'S' next to a mapping layer transparency modifier identifies selectable layers.

Select Feature Tool. The Select Feature Tool is used to select or unselect features.

Simply click on a feature to select or unselect it. Selected features are highlighted with a

thick red outline and a semi-transparent solid red fill.

When the Select Feature Tool is activated, a drop-down box appears at the top of the Layer

Selector (Figure 11). By default, this is set to “All visible layers”. This allows any displayed

selectable features to be selected when using the Selection Tool. For a specific selection,

the drop-down window allows the picking of a particular layer (e.g. property boundaries).


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Figure 11: Red fill identifies areas selected using the Select Feature Tool.

Details of selected features are shown in the Selected Features window, which will pop up

when you click on and select an individual feature (Figure 12).

Multiple features can be selected by holding down the CTRL key when selecting. When the

CTRL key is held down, selected features are added to the list of previously selected

features of the same type. Using the Select Tool in combination with the CTRL key of your

keyboard will select multiple features that are not located next to each other (Figure 13).

Selected Features window for a record

Figure 12: A Selected Features window containing information for the individual selected feature will appear showing available data attributes.


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Figure 13: An example of a selection made using the Select Feature Tool and the CTRL key, showing the Selected Features window with attributes for all selected features.

The selected feature can be un-selected by clicking on that feature. The ‘Clear Selected

Features Tool’ ( ) is used to unselect one or multiple selected features.

When several features are selected, attributes listed in the Selected Features window can be

matched with a feature on the map by clicking on the details folder or title (Property

Boundaries in example above). The matched individual feature will be highlighted in the

Map View for a short time.

Right-click on the detail’s folder to remove a particular selected feature from the list in the

Selected Features window.

The ‘Copy to Clipboard’ button will copy the current selection to the system clipboard. This

information can then be pasted into an application like an Excel spreadsheet as a sorted list.

Select Multiple Features Tool allows the selection of multiple adjoining features in a

one step process. Any feature that touches the selection box will be selected. Click to start

selecting, release and move the cursor to the other desired extent of the selection (Figure

14), and click. All features, such as properties that touched the selection polygon will be

highlighted (Figure 15) and their details listed in the Selected Features window.


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Figure 14: An example of feature selection using the Select Multiple Features Tool.

Figure 15: Properties selected using the Select Multiple Features Tool in the Figure 13 example is highlighted in red.

Select Features Using Selected. Additional features that intersect a selected area can

be added to the selection list. Figure 15 shows an example where a specific property was

selected using the Select Feature Tool. Next, the Select Features Using Selected was

pressed to include other selectable features that were activated in the Layer Selection and


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listed in the Select drop down. These additional features will be listed in the Selection

Features window. In the example in Figure 16, several hydrological features and an

adjoining property are listed.

Figure 16: An example of additional information listing for selectable features occurring within a single feature.

Open Selection Results. When a feature is selected, the Selected Features window

will automatically open. To save screen space, this window can be closed and later re-

opened using this button.

Zoom to Selected Tool. Sets the Map View so that all selected features are visible.

Clear Select Tool. Clears the list of currently selected features.


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2.3.6 Searching for specific localities

In addition to locating a specific site using coordinates (see section 2.3.2), an address

search option is available on the Toolbar.

Address Search Tool. This is used to search the address database for matching

addresses. When activated, an Address Search box (Figure 17) will open and prompt users

to provide relevant details.

Figure 17: Address and Crown Reserve Search Box. Not all fields are necessary for searching

locations by an address.

Enter as many or as few parameters as are available, then click the Search button.

Matching results will be displayed in a new pop up window (Figure 18). When the suburb or

locality name is not provided, all addresses in the database matching 170 Railway Parade

are listed (Figure 18).

Figure 18: List of properties matching the specified address details.

Click on the particular property listed in the Search Results and the Map Viewer will zoom to

the selected property (Figure 19).


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Figure 19: Map Viewer zoomed on the searched property (left) and on the selected Crown Reserve (right).

In the same way, after entering a reserve number (without the R displayed on Crown

Reserves labels), a list of lots with the given Reserve number will appear. By selecting one,

the application will zoom to the selected lot of the reserve (Figure 19).

2.3.7 Reports

The Environmental Considerations Report Tool can be used when one or more

features or area drawings are selected.

Before activating the reporting button, check that there are no hidden selected features

outside the Map View. For example, the address search tool will zoom the Map View onto

the selected property and add that property to any other previously selected features that will

not be visible in the Map View. The fastest way of checking the number of selected features

is by reviewing the content of the Selected Features box. Alternatively, use the Clear

selected features’ tool to remove any previous selections.

In Figure 20, King’s Park is selected from the property layer. Activating the Report

button will open a window with a drop-down menu of available report options. Top two

options are for generating the Environmental Considerations Report:

Option 1: Web-browser which displays the Environmental Considerations Report in a

new web browser window. Ensure pop-ups are enabled to view reports. You may

have to specifically allow pop-ups for the website as some web browsers do not allow

them as a default behaviour. This is not an issue for the Desktop EPT - only with the

EPT web browser version.

Option 2: Word document version which allows saving and editing the generated

report.


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Figure 20: An example of a pre-defined area being selected for reporting.

The Environmental Consideration Reports can be generated for a single property, a group of

properties or other mapped area such as a patch of remnant vegetation, regional ecological

linkage or an Indicative High Conservation Value Area (see under Local Government

Specific Information/Shire of Chittering).

The reporting function can also be used to generate reports on areas created with the

Annotation Tools. How to use the Annotation Tools is described in section 3 of this User

Guide.

The report generating time depends on the size of the area being selected. If the selected

area exceeds 100km2 a pop-up window will prompt the user to select a smaller area.

Any text underlined in the Environmental Considerations Report is linked to the Explanatory

Notes or external websites, providing further information on the reported attributes. In some

instances an email contact is provided to facilitate effective communication with the relevant

data custodian.

Native Vegetation Clearing Permit Referral Report can be used to inform processes

associated with native vegetation clearing permit applications required under the provisions

of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. In particular, the report can be generated to:

Prepare desktop assessments for clearing native vegetation applications

Undertake an assessment under a standard condition set out in Strategic Purpose

Permits for clearing native vegetation.


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The report can be generated for a defined area such as property boundary or for a polygon

that represents the proposed clearing footprint. The proposed clearing footprint can be

marked using one of the drawing tools, located under ‘Annotation Sets’ heading (see section

3.2.1).

After selecting the ‘Native Vegetation Clearing Permit Referral Report’ reporting option, the

application will ask the user to nominate a destination and a name for a Word document that

will be generated (Figure 21). While the report is generated, a box advising about progress

will appear in the middle of the screen (Figure 22).

Figure 21: EPT application requires the user to nominate a folder destination and file name for Native Vegetation Clearing Permit Referral Report.

Figure 22: A pop-up window visible while a Native Vegetation Clearing permit referral Report is being generated.

The generated report will open as a Word document. The Word format of the report allows

manual completion of missing information and saving of the final report for future reference.

Instructions on how to use the ‘Native Vegetation Clearing Permit Referral Report’ and how

to seek further clarifications from the Department of Environment Regulation are listed on

the first page of the report, with links to any associated documents such as form letters or

email text seeking a review of the EPT generated reports.


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One of the key features of the ‘Native Vegetation Clearing Permit Referral Report’ is the

assessment of proposed vegetation clearing against the Clearing Principles contained in

Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

The datasets used in this assessment are sourced from the State Government and capture a

range of attributes at various scales. It is important to confirm the presence of natural area

attributes indicated by the desktop assessment via site visits. There might be instances

where the results of desktop assessment might show that a proposed clearing might be at

variance with several Clearing Principles, yet the field assessment might confirm that the

indicative values do not occur in the targeted location. When unsure whether the proposed

clearing can be implemented under the provisions of a Strategic Purpose Permit, it is

recommended the user seeks clarification from the Department of Environment Regulations.

2.3.8 Printing and Saving Maps

The Print Map button allows the generation of simple maps for printing or inclusion into

documents or other publications.

When activated, the following window opens:

The Print Map window can be used to add a map title. When left empty, a publication caption

functions can be used to describe the map.


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Maps are generated as bitmap images. Map size and orientation need to be specified using

the Map Size and Orientation radio buttons. The default size is A4 which is ideal for most

uses.

The maps will be generated at the same scale as the map window. The Map Zoom Adjust

toggles can be used to modify the printed map area.

When all options are defined, press the "Make Map" button. The map and the associated

legend will be displayed in the ‘Preview’ window. Time to generate the map preview depends

on the number of layers being displayed and the size of the area being captured. On the

bottom of the Print Map window, three printing options will be activated (Figure 23).

Figure 23: An example of a map preview for the selected view area.

If the map preview does not show your area of interest correctly, pan the map in the Map

Viewer and then press again ‘Make Map’ to find the best display for your needs.

NOTE: Ensure that the map legend only lists features that are shown on the printed map.

The legend will show all the layers activated in the Layer Selector even if they are not

showing on the printed map.

The map can be copied to the system clipboard for pasting into another application, saved to

a picture file (*.png) or sent to Print. System print dialogs will come up. Ensure that the page

orientation in the page setup dialog box matches the orientation of the generated map to

make best use of paper space.

The ‘Close’ button closes the ‘Print Map’ window only. By pressing the Print Map Tool will

reopen the Print Map window and it will display the last map generated.


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NOTE: When the Print Map window is open, the main map viewer can still be used. This is

to allow the adjustment of the display. To update the map preview, press the "Make Map"

button following every change within the main Map Viewer.

3 Project Files and Annotation Sets

Project files allow users to organise the EPT for a project or a study area. They are stored

as discrete files which contain display settings and added features generated using the EPT

at the given time.

There are two types of tools which allow the capture of different information in an EPT

session:

Tools allowing recording the frequently used locations, theme selections or any

specific project related information in subsequent logins;

Tools allowing creation of new mapping layers or annotations to manage and monitor

projects or communicate with other users (annotations).

The current EPT session is saved to a GeoICE Project File (*.gpf) which can be saved in a

specific destination on your local computer or server. Use the ‘File’ menu to save and load

projects.

Figure 24: Option available in the 'File' dropdown menu.

3.1 Recording Frequently Used Locations, Themes and Selections

To quickly access locations that are subject to ongoing studies, the ‘Locations’ menu can be

used to save a number of map locations. For example, various nature reserves in a precinct

or a site under consideration for development.

Pan and zoom to an area of interest then select "New Location" option from the dropdown

menu (Figure 25). The user will be prompted to enter a name. In the example below, two


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locations were created, one for Kings Park and another for Bold Park. To swap between the

two areas, simply select the created location and the Map Viewer will display the selected

locality. Use of the ‘Locations’ option is faster than navigating between various locations

using the panning and zooming functions.

Similarly, combinations of layers can be recorded in the ‘Themes’ menu (Figure 26). This

option provides an effective way of pre-setting commonly used layers that are specific to an

environmental or planning issue, reducing the need for locating individual layers in the

legend list. Eight predefined selections are available as default.

Figure 26: ‘Theme’ menu drop down options with examples of saved 'themes'.

Combinations of various selected features can take a while to choose when considering

scenarios within a study area. The ‘Selections’ drop-down menu allows the users to save

sets of currently selected features into a Named Selection. Instead of repeating the

selections to compare scenarios or prepare maps, the ‘Selections; menu allows fast

swapping between the saved combinations of selections (Figure 27).

Figure 25: Menu options in the Locations drop down window and the window for defining new locations.


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Figure 27: An example of the use of Selections option to swap between three different combinations of selected features.


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3.2 Annotations

Project files can contain annotations (drawings and text) to represent different items of

interest on the map view which may help with communicating with other people or to

estimate and calculate areas for a study. Click on the ‘Annotation Sets’ tab (next to Layers

tab) to access the function tools (Figure 28).

Figure 28: Options under the 'Annotation Sets' heading.

To create annotations you must first create an annotation set to contain them. Annotations

allow users to create layers of own data which can be displayed over all the other layers

available for viewing in the EPT.

By default, an Annotation Set called "My Annotations" is created for ease of use. It is a

"General" type of annotation.

It is recommended that annotations are created under specific topics they represent. For

example, polygons representing various plant communities mapping should be created

under a separate annotation set to polygons showing various management treatments.

NOTE: Any mistake made while creating annotations such as accidental deletion of shapes or note can be reversed using the Undo function located under the Edit heading in the Menu bar.


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3.2.1 Creating Annotation Sets

To create a new annotation set, select the New button located on the bottom of the

Annotation Sets menu. You will be prompted to enter a name for the annotation set. You

may have multiple annotation sets in a project to represent different things of interest. Some

of the recommended applications include:

separate annotation sets representing different land use scenarios for re-zoning or a

development proposal;

recording baseline status and changes in vegetation condition, weed densities, or

other threat distribution patterns in a nature reserve;

fire history in a nature reserve;

monitoring of revegetation projects or management of natural areas.

After entering a name, the user will be prompted to select the type of the annotation set to

create. The following annotation set types are available (Figure 29):

General

BAL Vegetation Assessment

Photopoints

Vegetation condition – Keighery

Vegetation condition – Kaesenhagen

Weed density

Infrastructure

Weed control

Dieback Extent

Dieback control

Feral Animal Control.

Figure 29: Annotation set type options.


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If the type of data is not listed in the dropdown menu, use the “General Type’ and specify

further details in the name of the annotation set. Use a succinct name to describe an

Annotation Set as there is limited space in the display.

For each different type of Annotation Set there is a different editor provided to make it easy

to enter a specific type of annotation. The ‘General’ editor provides the most flexible way to

define annotations, while Customised Editors can also be used. Both are outlined in the

section 3.2.3.

3.2.2 Working with Annotation Sets

An example in Figure 30 shows a project that has six Annotation Sets representing different

mapped information. To avoid visual confusion with too many overlay options on the same

area, checkboxes are provided for each annotation set to allow management of their display.

The checkbox next to each annotation shows its visibility so in the example ‘Proposed landfill

site’, ‘Assumed rubbish tip location 2’ and the generic ‘My Annotations’ are selected to be

visible.

Figure 30: Examples of Annotation Sets.

NOTE: Annotation Sets in the current

version of the EPT are a substantial

change compared to the pre-2016

versions of the EPT. If you load an old

project file created in previous versions

of the Environmental Planning Tool (pre

December 2016), any annotations

associated with that project file will be

put into an Annotation Set called

“General”. You can copy them into new

Annotation sets for further analysis.


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Only one Annotation Set may be edited at a time. Select the edit annotation set by using the

button to the right of the checkbox. In the above example, the proposed landfill site buffer is

selected for editing. To help visually highlight the currently edited Annotation Set, it is

separated from other Annotation sets by upper and lower grey bars.

Annotation Sets can be manipulated using several function buttons located on the bottom of

the Annotation Set window.

The Remove button is used to delete an annotation set. You will be prompted for

confirmation to avoid losing the selected set if this button was pressed accidentally.

The Save button can be used to save individual Annotation Sets as ".gas" GeoICE

Annotation Set files. These files contain the symbology information as well as all the

geometry used to create the Annotation Set. Using the Load button, the saved Annotation

Set (*.gas file) can be added to a new project by various users. These functions allow

combining Annotation Sets or data layers created by various users or for various projects

into new projects. For example, these functions allow displaying weed control or fire history

mapping collected over several years to be overlapped in one new project.

NOTE: When using the Export and Import buttons to save or upload new data layers into

an Annotation Set, the exported shapefiles will lose all symbology information such as

colours, line thickness, and patterns as that is not part of how shapefiles are defined.

The Zoom button will zoom to the extent of the selected Annotation Set which can be useful

if you have different locations of interest.

The Copy button can be used to copy an Annotation Set. This is very useful if different

scenarios for the same location need to be explored (e.g. land use options) where options

are substantially similar thus saving a lot of work in re-entering data.

The Rename button is used to rename an Annotation Set.

The Export button is used to export an Annotation Set to an ESRI shapefile which can then

be used by other GIS software. As an Annotation Set can contain areas, lines and points

while a shapefile can contain only one type of feature, separate shapefiles are generated

with suffixes “_areas.shp”, “_lines.shp” and “_points.shp” depending on whether those types

of features are present. Thus if you specify “name.shp” as your output shapefile,

name_areas.shp, name_lines.shp, name_points.shp will be generated, if your Annotation

Set contains those types of features. The exported shapefile contains fields “Name” and

“Descript” with values as described for those annotations.

A shapefile is a set of files with extensions “.shp”, “.dbf”, “.shx” and “.prj”. The first three files

specify the geometry and tabular contents while the “prj” file defines the projection.

NOTE: If the GIS you are using doesn't recognise the projection file (it works with ESRI

ArcGIS) then manually specify the projection as Geographic Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA

1994). Be sure to copy all four files when transferring to another user.


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The Import button is used to import external spatial data into the current annotation set -

which must be of ‘General’ type. You can use Import multiple files into an annotation set (by

using Import multiple times) which can be useful for joining together multiple datasets.

GPX files

GPS (Geographic Positioning System) data is commonly stored as a GPX file. GPX files are

the most common GPS file format used by GPS devices and smartphones. Your GPS

device should generate GPX files directly. Or you may need to use the software which came

with the device to translate to GPX. Waypoints, routes and tracks will be read by this

function. Once the GPS data is loaded into an Annotation Set, you can change the symbols

for the different types of waypoints, routes and tracks using the Select tool described in

Section 3.2.3. If GPS locations were collected for vegetation condition or weed mapping, you

can trace over the General Annotation Set with the downloaded GPS locations to create a

new Specific Annotation Set using the predefined classification categories (see Section

3.2.1).

Location apps are readily available for smartphone and tablet devices. Make sure the one

you select exports GPX files. You can find software for converting to GPX from other file

formats on the Internet.

Shapefiles

ESRI shapefiles are the most common GIS data format. When importing from a shapefile

you may be prompted for the projection system. The EPT is compatible with most

commonly used projections in Australia but is unable to open some of the less uncommon

definitions used. All the fields of imported shapefiles will be preserved.

Use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to change the order in which Annotation Sets

are displayed in the map view. New Annotation Sets are displayed as they are created. This

order can be re-arranged to group annotation set into themes or topics for printing.

3.2.3 Annotation Set Properties

Click on the Properties… button (Figure 31) to open a dialog window describing an

annotation set's properties (Figure 32).

Figure 31: Function buttons under the Annotation Sets heading.


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Figure 32: Properties selection window for Drawing and Symbols

The Drawing and Symbols tab allow the user to alter the drawing order of the Annotation

Set. By default, Annotation Sets are drawn on top of all visible map layers.

For example, if the best representation of a new feature is a solid coloured polygon, this

would then obscure line and point layers also displayed on the map. To allow the visibility of

other layers, the drawing order for each new polygon need to be set to "Filled polygons"

(Figure 33).

Figure 33: Options for setting the visibility order of drawings.

Setting the drawing order requires some forward planning on how to represent new

annotation sets.

NOTE: Setting the Annotation Set to filled polygons will cause it to display ON TOP of all

other map layers that are drawn as filled polygons. Therefore, adjusting the annotation set

properties is important to ensure good readability of maps and created annotation sets.


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The Labels tab allows the alteration of properties of the Annotation Set labels such as font

style, size and colour and to choose which field is labelled (Figure 34).

Figure 34: Annotation Set Labels setting tools.

The EPT’s map labelling system will avoid labels overlapping and tries to optimally place

labels on the map, including labels for features in visible map layers. Labels for Annotation

Sets have higher priority than visible map layer labels irrespective of drawing order (the

user’s data is the most important thing to represent on the map) and priority amongst

Annotation Sets is top-down on the Annotation Sets list.

The Fields tab opens define the fields you want to represent your data with. Figure 35

shows a hypothetical vegetation survey fields created for community types, proportion and

land slope and aspect. Fields can either represent text or numbers.

A field can be designated a "key" field. This identifies different combinations of fields which

can be copied. The use of this function is described in the next section of the General

Properties Editor.

Figure 35: Annotation set field attributes setting tools.


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By default, a General Annotation Set will have 2 fields created. A "Name" field (which is a

key field) and a Label field (which is selected for labelling).

Any Annotation Set of type other than ‘General’ do not allow changes to the defined field

properties. For example, when vegetation condition polygons are created using the

Vegetation Condition – Keighery annotation set type, their colour cannot be modified.

When importing a shapefile, all fields will automatically be created and entered to an empty

General Annotation Set. This allows attributing the imported shapes. The process for

representing imported shape files in the annotation set legend is described in section 3.2.8

of this document.

NOTE: When exporting to a shapefile, field names can have a maximum length of 10

characters and text fields can only contain data with a maximum length of 255 characters.

Names and data will be truncated to those limits if exceeded. Thus, for the example in

Figure 34 it may have been better to name the fields "CommA" or "PropA".

3.2.4 General Properties Editor

There are several tools available to draw and manipulate different types of annotation.

Draw a point. Click on the map to draw a point or marker. This will open the editor

window where the point properties, such as its shape, size and colour can be defined. Figure

36 shows the description for a vegetation survey quadrat which are best represented by

points.

Figure 36: Annotation Point editor window.


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Fill in the field descriptions and set the marker properties. The fields have an "ABC" or "123"

symbol next to them to show what type of data the field contains.

To set the marker colour, press on the coloured rectangle following the ‘Marker colour’

prompt. The colour selection box will open in a new window (Figure 37).

The Shape button is selected by default for all point annotations. This option allows users to

create a point with a shape and size as specified.

The Image button option allows selection from one of a range of pre-defined markers (Figure

38). Use the Select button to change the marker. This will open a window with a selection

of markers you can click on.

Click on the OK button (Figure 37) when the marker properties are defined.

Figure 37: Colour selection window.

Figure 38: Point editor with 'Image' selection activated and an example of marker options.


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Figure 39: An example of a point annotation described in Figures 36 and 37.

Figure 39 shows the point annotation or marker labelled "Quadrat 1". A legend is created

under the Annotation Set with the symbol of the marker and labelled "Banksia, Jarrah",

properties defined in the Point editor (Figure 36). For these fields to be displayed in the

Annotation set legend, they need to be specified as "key fields" in the Annotation Set

properties definition (Figure 35). When key fields are specified, their unique combination will

be used to create a key in the Annotation Set legend. ‘Key fields’ are identified in the Point

editor window with a key symbol next to the specified descriptor (Figure 40).

Figure 40: A key symbol identifying the 'key fields' in the Annotation Point editor window.

Figure 41 shows two-point annotations, Quadrat 1 and Quadrat 2. Using the Point editor

window (Figure 36), Quadrat 2 is described in the legend as Cleared Grass.

To create another annotation point within a vegetation type already represented by one of

the existing annotation points, use the Copy button to use the same marker symbol and

colour allocated for the vegetation type. To add a third annotation point of vegetation type

‘Banksia, Jarrah’, the Copy button will open a dropdown window with a list of options (Figure

42).


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Figure 41: An example of a display of two annotation points created under an annotation set.

Figure 42: Options for copying point marker symbol and colour will be listed in a dropdown menu after

activating the Copy button in the Annotation point editor window.

Figure 43: Annotation Point editor window for a new point with copied 'key fields'.

The ‘key fields’ will be copied from the selected key

combination and marker symbol copied (Figure 43). All

the other location specific attributes will need to be

completed manually for each new point representing a

new quadrat.


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Draw a line. Click to start the line and subsequent segments. Double-click to end the

last point. This will open the Line editor window that allows changes to line properties

(Figure 44).

Figure 44: Line editor

Define or copy line properties (as described for point annotations) then press “OK” to set the

line properties.

To cancel the line being drawn, press the ESC key on a computer keyboard. Use the

DELETE key on the computer keyboard to delete the last entered vertex while keeping the

rest of the line.

While drawing a line, its length is shown in the bottom status bar of the map viewer (next to

the coordinates’ information).

Draw Area Tool. Click to start an area. Double-click to end the last point.

This will open the annotation’s editor to allow the definition of the area properties:

Figure 45: An Area editor window.


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An area can be described using three properties. Firstly, a solid Fill can be specified with a

variable opacity or transparency. Check the Fill Colour checkbox to enable this fill and set

the colour and opacity as required. The outline and fill colour setting is enabled by clicking

on the coloured markers in the Editor which will open the colour selection window.

Secondly, a Stencil can be selected to be drawn. Click on the Select button to open a

stencil select window:

Figure 46: An example of pre-defined stencils for Area annotations.

Finally, an outline can be drawn on top with selectable thickness and colour. When you

have selected the properties of the annotation press OK to complete the setting of an area

properties. This has a similar behaviour to OK for points and lines.

Remember; use the ‘Name Property’ for new are annotation to make it easy to copy the

annotation properties when creating another area annotation of the same type.

Use the ESC key on the keyboard to cancel the line being drawn or the DEL key to delete

the last entered vertex of an area annotation being drawn.

As you are drawing the area annotation’s perimeter and size will be shown in the bottom

status bar, next to the co-ordinates information.

To avoid drawing overlapping polygons when mapping adjoining features, the following two

functions need to be used. Both functions prevent overlapping polygons which is important

when transferring shape files into other GIS applications.

Draw Area Overwriting. This is like the Draw Area tool but it will overwrite any areas

underneath in the current annotation set (Figure 47). It can be used to adjust mapped

categories or make changes to the information within an existing annotation set without the

need to re-draw portions of polygons to change their attributes.


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Figure 47: An example of use of the overwriting function for overlapping polygons.

Use this tool map more efficiently areas where small occurrences of one classification are distributed within another classification such as small building envelopes surrounded by uniform vegetation (Figure 48).

Figure 48: An example demonstrating the use of 'Draw Area Overwriting' tool to map areas of varied descriptions/classifications. The example show the classification of vegetation for bushfire risk assessment.

Draw Additional Area Keeping Existing. This function will clip the new polygon to the

boundary of an existing polygon (Figure 49). In contrast to the Draw Area Overwriting

function, any portions of the new polygon which overlaps an existing polygon while being

drawn, will be adjusted to the boundary of the underlying polygon. It is recommended that

when using this tool, always draw the new polygon slightly overlapping the existing one to

ensure that no gaps are created between polygons that should adjoin.


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Figure 49: An example of the Draw Area Keeping Existing use to map adjoining features without gaps.

Add a Dimensioned Area. This annotation allows drawing of rectangles and circles

with defined dimensions such as width and lenth or diameter. Selected the tool and click at a

point where the annotation is to be located in the map view window to open the ‘Create

Dimensioned Area’ window (Figure 50). Enter the required dimensions for a rectangle or a

circle and press OK. This will open the Annotation Properties window where the newly

created shape can be described (outline and fill colour, label, etc.).

Figure 50: Create Dimensioned Area window options.

NOTE: The EPT uses WA_Albers projection to create dimensioned areas as it is more

acurate in retaining the correct size and shape than screen map projections (Web Mercator).

However, due to the limited capacity of WA_Albers to preserve bearing, a created rectangle

will not appear perpendicular on the computer screen. If appearance of the created shape is

critical, it is recommended that the “Project using measurement projection:WA_Albers’

option (Figure 50) is turned off. Figure 52 shows the difference in the appearance of a

rectangle with defined 20m width and 25m height created using different projections.


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Figure 51: Defining a Dimensioned Area using the Annotation Properties window that will appear automatically after the dimensions were entered via the ‘Create Dimensioned Area’ window shown in Figure 50.

Figure 52: Impact of map projections on the dimensions and appearance of a shape created using the 'Add a dimensioned Area' tool.

To create an irregular shape, choose the ‘Offset Coordinates’ option where each vertex of a

shape can be defined with an offset coordinate. These offset coordinates do not represent

the true site coordinates defined by a selected map projection but a position of a shape

vertex within a x,y coordinate system. An example in Figure 53 shows a shape with eight

vertexes defined by distances from the 0,0 point of an offset coordinate system. It is not

necessary to repeat the offset coordinates for the starting point as an end point, the EPT will

close the shape automatically. Figure 54 demonstrates how to determine the offset

coordinates for a building with specific measurements.


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Figure 53: An example of the use of Offset Coordinates to draw an irregular shape.

60

55 30,55 45,55

50

45 10,45 30,45

40

35

30

25 10,25 30,25

20

15

10 30,10 45,10

5

0,0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Figure 54: Determination of the Offset Coordinates for the example in Figure 51.

The calculated size of the drawn shape will be affected by the selection of the measurement

projection as shown in Figure 52. If the exact area of the drawn shape is required, the

WA_Albers projection needs to be turned on. The area of the drawn shape will be displayed

in the Annotation Properties window (as shown in Figure 51).

Add Feature Using Text Coordinates. Use this tool to insert a point, lines or polygons

defined by coordinate values. ‘Create Features from Coordinates’ window (Figure 55)

provides options for defining the type of the feature to be added and for relevant coordinate

projection selection (drop-down menu). After entering the coordinates, the projected feature

15m

20m

45m

20m

X

Y


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will appear in the EPT map view (Figure 56). Select the added feature using the Select

Annottation tool and define its attributes (boundary or fill colours) to show the added feature

in the legend (Figure 57).

Figure 55: Definition of an area using GDA coordinates.

Figure 56: Appearance of an area defined by coordinates before its display attributes are defined.


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Figure 57: New feature defined by coordinates and display attributes.

Delete Area by Drawing a Polygon. Use this tool to remove portions of mapped

polygons or create ‘holes’ in shapes created using the EPT drawing tools (Figure 58). It can

be used to map farm dams within grassed areas or any area that does not meet the mapped

classification.

Figure 58: Removing area classification where it is not applicable using the 'Delete Area by Drawing a Polygon'.


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Draw Freehand Tool. Hold down the mouse to scribble some freehand annotation. A

freehand annotation is a line annotation and will open the same properties editor as the Line

editor.

Add Text Annotation Tool. This function can be used as an alternative to labelling

annotation sets or to write block text to describe something on the map. The Text editor

window allows to change the text size, colour and display (Figures 59 and 60).

Figure 59: Text editor window. Figure 60: An example of the text display added to the map.

NOTE: Text size will not change when zooming in or out in the map window.

Add an SLK annotation. This tool becomes activated when a road is selected using

the EPT Selection tool (Figure 61). To mark the selected SLK sections of the road, take the following steps:

1 Press the annotation tool. This will open the SLK Marker window (Figure 62).

2 Enter the desired SLK number and press OK.

3 In the ‘Point Annotation Properties’ window (Figure 62) define the display properties for the point representing the SLK number position (Figure 63). Repeat these steps to mark all desired SLK points that define relevant road sections e.g. start and finish point of planned roadworks.


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Figure 61: The Add SLK Annotation tools is highlighted when a road is selected.

Figure 63: Display of the defined SLK point location.

Figure 62: SLK Marker window and Point Annotation window to be used to define the SLK point display in the map viewer.


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3.2.5 Correcting Mistakes

To correct any errors in drawing, modifying or deleting annotation sets, the "Undo" option in

the "Edit" menu can be used to undo the last edit (Figure 64). Each Annotation Set has its

own undo list which allows editing multiple Annotation Sets.

Figure 64: The ‘Undo’ option is located under the Edit heading of the menu bar.

3.2.6 Editing Annotation Sets

The Copy and Paste functions will copy and paste annotations into the same Annotation Set

or into a new Annotation Set. These functions are located in the Edit menu or can be

activated using conventional keyboard shortcuts. The destination Annotation Set does not

have to be the same type (General or predefined issue specific) as the one you copied from.

Where possible, the EPT will try to copy matching field data.

Select and Move Annotation Tool. As with features for map layers, you may select

and unselect annotations and text by clicking on them. Click on, hold down the mouse and

move to reposition a drawing or text annotation. When an annotation is selected the editor

window will be shown to allow you to change annotation properties.

To select multiple annotations, hold down the CTRL key and click on each annotation you

want to select.

NOTE: Selection of an ‘Annotation Area’ will activate the Reporting button and allow

generation of the Environmental Consideration Report and other available reports for any

drawn area.

Edit Drawing Vertex Tool. Use this to move individual vertices on drawing shapes.

You can right click on a vertex to open a menu prompting to remove it. You can right click

on a line segment to open a menu prompting to insert a vertex at that position (Figure 65).

Eraser Tool. Select the tool and click on the annotation to be removed. Alternatively,

hold down the mouse and wave over drawings and annotations you want to delete. If

annotations were removed accidentally, use the ‘Undo’ (Ctrl + z) to restore them.


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Figure 65: Examples of editing options for area boundaries and line annotations.

Rotate Tool. Activate an Annotation Set which contains the object that needs to be

rotated. Select the Rotate Tool and point at the object. Use the computer mouse to turn the

object to the desired position.

Buffer Tool. Select an annotation for one or more features and use this to create a

buffer area. The tool will prompt the user for a buffer distance in metres and select an

Annotation Set where the buffer will be placed. For the buffer to appear in the Annotation

Set legend, it needs to be assigned attributes such as colour using the Selection Tool.

Buffering is performed in WA Albers projection for accuracy and reprojected to Web

Mercator for display.

Summarise Annotation Set Tool. This function opens a window to generate a

summary of areas, lengths and counts of all the annotations in the current Annotation Set.

Summaries are done using unique keys as displayed in the Annotation Set legend (Figure

66). The displayed information can be saved to Clipboard and copied into a separate

document for future reference or comparison of various summary results.

Figure 66: The Summarise tool will list the area mapped in each defined annotation set category.


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Clip Annotation to Another Annotation Set. This tool allows the display of mapped

attributes to a boundary of another mapped area. Fox example, vegetation mapping might

cover the whole Local Government area but for the purposes of a specific report it is more

appropriate to show only categories mapped within a property of interest. The activation of

this tool will open a dropdown window with a list of annotation sets that can be used to clip

(Figure 67). Select the Annotation set, when prompted type the name of a new annotation

set that will be automatically created to include the clipped dataset.

Clip out polygon annotations in polygons in another annotation set

This tool enables creation of a new annotation by intersecting two existing annotations.

Step 1: Select the annotation to be modified (Figure 68) and activate the Clip out

polygon annotations in polygons in another annotation set tool.

Figure 68: Annotation set to be modified by clipping.

Figure 67: Reducing the mapping of one annotation set (vegetation classification) to the boundaries of another set (property boundary).


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Step2: Follow the prompts in the ‘Clip Out Annotations’ window (Figure 69). From the drop-

down menu, select the annotation set which includes features to be removed from the

selected annotation.

Step 3: Press OK and another pop-up window will appear (Figure 69), instructing the user to

‘Enter a name for clipped out annotation set’, type in the name and press OK.

Figure 69: Clip Out Annotations pop-up windows.

A new annotation set will be added to the bottom of the existing list of annotations, with the

new name and the map view will show the new layer with copied attributes of the annotation

set that was clipped (Figure 70).

Figure 70: The new layer created using the 'Clip out polygon annotations in polygons in another annotation set'. Attributes like line thickness, fill and colours of the new layer are the same as attributes of the base annotation.

Step4: Edit the attributes of the new layer and move the annotation set containing the new

layer above the road reserve layer (Figure 71).


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Figure 71: Display of the new layer created by clipping features in two other annotations.

This tool can also be used to create layers areas/polygons representing changes in mapping

of for example vegetation condition, rehabilitation, or any other featured mapped over time.

Turn a multi-part annotation into several individual annotations – To outline

specific sections of a project area, like sections of a road reserve, remove parts of the road reserve not required using the Delete an area drawing polygon tool, and then use the new tool, to define each section as an individual road section.

Step 1: Select an annotation shape to be divided (using the Select and Move annotation tool)

Step 2: Remove sections of the annotation not required for further assessments using the Delete an area drawing polygon tool


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Step 3: Define each section as a new annotation using the Turn a multi-part annotation into several individual annotations

See section 3.3.9 on the use of the BAL and BHL Tools.

3.2.7 Saving Annotation Sets

To retain the features and information created using the various annotations described in the

previous sections of this User’s Guide, there are several options for saving them. The saving

options differ in the type of information being recorded and the ability to use the saved

formats by various stakeholders.

3.2.7.1 Saving Annotations as Project Files

Project files are stored as discrete files which contain display settings of the current EPT

session such as the location and data layer selection; and added features generated using

the Annotation Sets tools.

The current EPT session is saved to a GeoICE Project File (*.gpf) which can be filed in a

specific destination on your local computer or server. In the ‘File’ menu, select the Save as

option to create a new project file (Figure 72).

Use the Save option to save any changes to your Annotations Sets while working on a

project and before logging out of the EPT, press Save to ensure the latest updates are

recorded.

To save various scenarios or variations to a project being investigated, use the Save as

option with a new name for each scenario; or create separate annotation sets for each

scenario within one project file.

The *.gpf files can be emailed to other EPT users. Before loading a new project file into an

EPT session, ensure that any projects or annotation sets created prior loading of a project


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file, are saved. This is important as loading a project file will override any display settings or

annotation sets created prior.

Figure 72: Options under the 'File' menu heading.

Using the Load Project option under the File menu, will open a file selection menu. Select a

*.gpf file and press ‘Open’. The EPT map view will display the location, data layers and any

annotations saved in the loaded project, overwriting the current map view display.

3.2.7.2 Saving Annotation Sets

To facilitate the ability to compare annotations created over time it is recommended that

each new feature/information is captured in a new Annotation Set. For example, vegetation

condition mapping for 2016 is recorded in a separate annotation set as weed mapping for

2016 in the same reserve. This will allow use of the Save and Load buttons described in the

section 3.2.2 of this Users Guide (Figure 30).

The Save button will create a new file format (*.gas), recording the symbology information as

well as all the geometry used to create the saved Annotation Set. To display the saved

Annotation Set later in a new project, for example to create a map comparing weed densities

changes following management control, use the Load button.

3.2.7.3 Saving Annotations as Shape files

The third option for recording information created with the EPT Annotation Sets is the ability

to save annotation set in a format compatible with other mapping software.

Any Annotation Set containing areas, lines or points can be saved as a shape file using the

Export button located under the ‘Annotation Sets’ heading. The system will generate four

output files (with extensions “.shp”, “.dbf”, “.shx” and “.prj”), with a name identifying the type

of the Annotation Set (“_areas.shp”, “_lines.shp” and “_points.shp”). The exported shapefile

contains fields “Name” and “Descript” with values as described for those annotations. It is

important to note that the exported shapefiles will lose all symbology information such as

colours, line thickness, and patterns as that is not part of how shapefiles are defined.


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It is recommended that all three options are used to record Annotation Sets for future

reference.

When providing the shape files to other users, it is important to send all four (“*.shp”, “*.dbf”,

“*.shx” and “*.prj”) files generated using the Export function.

NOTE: If the receiver’s GIS software doesn't recognise the projection file of the EPT

generated shapefile (it works with ESRI ArcGIS) then the user should manually specify the

projection as Geographic Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA 1994).

3.2.8 Symbolising Imported Shape Files in the EPT

The EPT tracks keys (section 3.2.4) created and builds a dictionary of available types to

copy as new annotations are created. If the appearance of a feature with a key field is

changed, the EPT will scan for features with matching key values and prompt the user to

match the selected annotations. However, if an imported shapefile was not created using the

EPT, the EPT cannot symbolise it. The following section outlines how to symbolise imported

shape files.

To import shape files, an empty Annotation Set of type ‘General’ needs to be created using

the New button. In the example in Figure 73, an Annotation Set called ‘veg community’ is

shown and the example dataset represent vegetation community mapping in a region.

Figure 73: Display of imported shape files that have not been symbolised.

Click on the Import button and from the file’s browser select the shapefile to be displayed in

the EPT map view. All the vegetation community area boundaries (shapes) are in the same


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default red outline symbol (Figure 73). Note that the red outline is not shown in the legend

under the ‘veg community’ Annotation Set heading.

To list the mapped vegetation communities in the Annotation Set legend, click on the

Properties… button. A new window will open (Figure 74). Go to the Fields tab and select

the ‘Veg_Comm’ (the unique identifier for this dataset) as the key field by clicking in the

checkbox. Press OK to set the properties and this will list in the legend all vegetation

communities mapped in the dataset (Figure 75).

Figure 74: Setting the key field for the imported dataset.

Figure 75: To list the imported data types in the legend, the key field must be defined using the Properties button.

To assign a distinctive colour to each vegetation community, select ( ) an area to display

its properties and change the symbols (Figure 76). Note the ‘key’ symbol next to the

Veg_Comm description in the Annotation Properties window.


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Figure 76: Annotation Properties window allows allocating colour or other fill symbology to imported shape files.

After setting the symbology for the selected area by clicking OK, the EPT will prompt the

user to change the symbols for matching areas based on their ‘key’ field. This will set the

same symbology for all areas mapped as the selected area, in this example vegetation

community 10 (Figure 77). Repeat these steps for each vegetation community listed in the

legend.

Figure 77: Symbolised imported shape files.


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3.2.9 Slope/Transect Profiler

The Slope/Transect profiler tool generates graphs based on the available contour data.

This tool can be used for example to investigate slope changes along existing roads, within

parks or along proposed walk and cycle trails.

Note: The 5m contours (Landgate 2018) cover the whole Western Australia. The 2m and

10m contours (DAFWA 2014) extend only to parts of Western Australia, primarily covering

the South West of the State.

To investigate the slope changes along selected transects, turn on one of the contour

datasets (located under the ‘Location/Topographical Features’ heading).

In Annotations, create a ‘New’ Annotation set, selecting the ‘General’ option. Using the

Add a line annotation tool, draw a line to represent a transect (Figure 78). Use the

Select Annotation tool to select the transect line; press the Slope/Transect profiler tool

which will open the ‘Transect Profile’ window (Figure 79) and then press ‘Make Transect’.

This will generate a graph representing the changes in elevation along the selected transect

line.

Moving the computer cursor over the graph area of the Transect Profile window will activate

the grid and the calculation of the slope along the transect line (Figure 80).

Figure 78: Transect line to be used to generate the transect profile graph.


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Figure 79: Transect Profile window with a graph representing the changes in elevation along the selected transect.

Figure 80: Red line in the Transect Profile graph identifies the position on the graph where the slope value corresponds to 4.4 degrees. The cross line in the map viewer shows the corresponding location on the map.

Use the ‘Copy Graph to Clipboard’ button to copy the displayed graph as a picture file into

reports or presentations (Figure 81). The ‘Copy Data to Clipboard’ button will copy the

Distance and Elevation values for the selected transect.


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Figure 81: Picture of the EPT generated transect profile created using the 'Copy Graph to Clipboard' button.

3.3 Specific Annotation Property Editors

Specific types of annotation sets can be created in addition to the ‘General’ type utilizing pre-

defined symbology and description characteristics. In addition to the basic annotation

creation tools described in previous sections of the User Guide, when selecting a Specific

Annotation Type, a type specific properties editor will appear. The specific properties editor

allows users to select only one of a number of pre-defined symbols, maintaining consistency

of the represented information. Note, that all these annotation types have a description field

which you can use to label the features.

Depending on the specific editor type, drawing tools may be disabled to limit the type of

information that can be represented. For example, the Vegetation Condition editor types

don't allow the user to input line or point features as vegetation condition is represented by

areas.

3.3.1 Vegetation Condition - Keighery Scale

This annotation type is used for vegetation condition mapping using the Keighery condition

scale1 which ranks vegetation condition from Pristine to Completely Degraded. Area

(polygon) annotations can be created with defined colour symbology for each vegetation

condition category (Figure 82).

Pristine - Pristine or nearly so, no obvious signs of disturbance

1 Keighery, B.J. (1994) Bushland Plant Survey. A guide to plant community survey for community. Wildflower Society of WA (Inc.), Nedlands, Western Australia.


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Excellent - Vegetation structure intact; disturbance affecting individual

species; weeds are non-aggressive species.

Very Good - Vegetation structure altered; obvious signs of disturbance. For

example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by repeated fires; the

presence of some more aggressive weeds; dieback; logging; grazing.

Good - Vegetation structure significantly altered by very obvious signs of

multiple disturbances. Retains basic vegetation structure or ability to

regenerate it. For example, disturbance to vegetation structure caused by

frequent fires; the presence of some very aggressive weeds at high density;

partial clearing; dieback; grazing.

Degraded - Basic vegetation structure severely impacted by disturbance.

Scope for regeneration but not to a state approaching good condition

without intensive management. For example, disturbance to vegetation

structure caused by very frequent fires; the presence of very aggressive

weeds; partial clearing; dieback; grazing.

Completely degraded - The structure of the vegetation is no longer intact

and the area is completely or almost completely without native species.

These areas are often described as ‘parkland cleared’ with the flora

comprising weed or crop species with isolated native trees or shrubs.

Figure 82: Keighery vegetation condition scale categories (Keighery 1994).

3.3.2 Vegetation Condition - Kaesehagen Scale

This annotation type is used for vegetation condition mapping using the Kaesehagen scale2

(Figure 83), an alternative vegetation condition scale used by natural area managers. Area

annotations can be created.

2 Kaesehagen, D. (1994) Bushland Corridor Mapping. In: Invasive weeds and regenerating ecosystems in Western Australia. Proceedings of a conference held at Murdoch University (ed. G. Burke).

Very Good to Excellent

80% to 100% native flora composition

Vegetation structure intact or nearly so

Cover/abundance of weeds less than 5%

No or minimal signs of disturbance

Fair to Good


Vegetation structure modified or nearly so

Cover/abundance of weeds between 5% and 20%

Minor signs of disturbance

Poor


Vegetation structure completely modified or nearly so

Cover/abundance of weeds 20% to 60%, any number of

individuals

Disturbance incidence high

Very Poor


Vegetation structure disappeared

Cover/abundance of weeds 60% to 100%, any number of

individuals

Disturbance incidence very high Figure 83: Kaesehagen condition scale categories (Kaesehagen 1994)


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3.3.3 Infrastructure

This annotation type is used for mapping general infrastructure (Figure 84). There are

symbols for points and lines.

Figure 84: Predefined symbols for selected infrastructure types.

Use the Properties…button to open the annotation properties box to record any relevant

information regarding the mapped treatment such as type of material used, ect. (see section

3.2.3). Alternatively use the text annotation to add site specific notes.

If the predefined symbols do not represent the types of infrastructure to be mapped, point, lines and polygons can be used to map specific infrastructure using the “General” Annotation Set option (see section 3.2.4).

3.3.4 Weed Density and Weed Control

These annotation types allow mapping weedy areas into grasses and broadleaf for treatment

classification and classify weed density (Figure 85 and 86). Use the Properties…button to

open the annotation properties box to record any relevant information regarding the mapped

treatment such as date, type of product used, ect. (see section 3.2.3). Alternatively use the

text annotation to add site specific notes.

If the predefined symbols do not represent the types of weed control or density categories to be mapped, points or polygons can be used to map specific methods using the “General” Annotation Set option (see section 3.2.4).


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3.3.5 Dieback Extent

This annotation type is used for preliminary mapping of dieback extent.

Figure 87: Predefined dieback occurrence categories available in the EPT Annotations Sets.


information regarding the mapped treatment such as date (see section 3.2.3). Alternatively

use the text annotation to add site specific notes.

If the predefined symbols do not represent the mapped dieback extent descriptions, points or polygons can be used to map specific locations using the “General” Annotation Set option (see section 3.2.4).

Figure 85: Predefined weed control type categories available in the EPT Annotation Sets.

Figure 86: Predefined categories for weed density mapping.


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3.3.6 Dieback Control

This annotation type is used for mapping phosphite spraying areas (area annotation) and

stem injections (point annotations). Use the Properties…button to open the annotation

properties box to record any relevant information regarding the mapped treatment such as

date, type of product used, ect. (see section 3.2.3). Alternatively use the text annotation to

add site specific notes.

3.3.7 Feral Animal Control

This annotation type is used for mapping feral animal control treatments (point annotations).


information regarding the mapped treatment such as date, type of product used, ect. (see

section 3.2.3). Alternatively use the text annotation to add site specific notes.

Figure 89: Predefined feral animal treatment methods available in the EPT Annotation Sets.

If the predefined symbols do not represent the types of treatments to be mapped, point, lines and polygons can be used to map alternatives using the “General” Annotation Set option (see section 3.2.4).

Figure 88: Predefined dieback control methods available in the EPT Annotation Sets.


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3.3.8 Photopoint

The Photopoint annotation is designed to enable the documentation and presentation of

photo records. There are two options for entering photo records into the EPT; depending on

the photo properties.

To facilitate photo location display, create a NEW annotation set and from the dropdown

menu select the ‘Photopoint’ option (Figure 90). While entered photos will not be displayed

under this annotation heading, this annotation set has to be selected when addition photos

onto the map view.

Figure 90: Photo display requires a specific 'Photopoint' annotation set to be created.

3.3.8.1 Photos with GPS coordinates

Location (GPS) referenced photos, taken with location tags activated on the device used to

record them, can be displayed in the map viewer with a simple drag motion. Select all the

photos to be displayed in a folder they are stored in and using the computer mouse, drag

them into the EPT map view (Figure 91 and Figure 92).

Figure 91: Any geo referenced photos can be selected, dragged and dropped into the EPT map view. To check for coordinates, right click on a photo file, open Properties and look for GPS records under the file Details heading.


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Figure 92: Photo points display in uniform way, with an arrow showing the direction of the photo. Photopoints window shows the photo details recorded by the camera and provide space for entering any additional information.

Use the Selection Tool to open the Photopoints window (Figure 92) where additional

information about the photo can be entered. Any text or number entered next to the

Photopoint ID heading will appear in the map viewer. Press the ‘Display in system viewer’ to

view the photo in a larger format.

NOTE: If you cannot see any photo points in the EPT map viewer, it can be that your map

viewer extent does not cover the location of the photo point. Press the Zoom button in the

Annotation Sets to move the map view and show the photo points.

3.3.8.2 Photos without GPS coordinates

To display photos without GPS coordinates, create a Photopoint annotation set (Figure 88)

and use the Point annotation tool to place a photo point onto the map. This will open the

Photopoint window, however all the known information will need to be completed and the

actual photo needs to be uploaded using the Select button in the Photopoint window. This

will open the computer system’s file browser (Figure 91).

All manually entered photo points point to the North. To change the arrow’s direction, enter

the direction in degrees clockwise from North in the provided space of the Photopoint

window.


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Figure 93: Display of photos without the GPS coordinates.

3.3.8.3 Changing photo points symbology

To change the colour and the size of the photo point symbol, use the Properties…button in

the Annotations Sets. This will open the annotation set properties window which includes

tools for changing the photos symbology under the Photopoint Symbol heading (Figure 92).

Symbology for all photos within a photo annotation set will be the same. To differentiate

between photos representing different objects or being taken in various times, it is necessary

to separate them in separate Annotation Sets. Photo point labels can be changed by

adjusting the font colour and size under the Labels heading in the Annotation Set properties

window.

Figure 94: Changes to the photo point’s symbology can be made via the Properties window.


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3.3.8.4 Enabling automatic photopoint labelling

For photo files with file names containing three or less characters, the EPT will automatically display the file name as a label, removing the need for manual photo point labelling via the Photopoint editing window (Figure 1).

Figure 95: Automated Photopoint label display for picture files using 3 or less characters as a file name.

3.3.8.5 Generating Photopoint Reports

Photos contained within a Photopoint annotation set can be presented in a single report.

After activating the Reporting button, select the ‘Photopoint Report’ option from the

drop-down menu (Figure 96). The user will be prompted to define a file name and folder

where the generated report will be saved as a Word document.

Figure 96: List of reports generated by the Environmental Planning Tool.


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3.3.9 BAL Vegetation Assessment

Bushfire risk assessment tools are linked to a specific Annotation Set type, called BAL

Vegetation Assessment. Thus the BAL and BHL tools are only available when a BAL

Vegetation Assessment set is activated (Figure 97).

To set up a BAL Vegetation Assessment annotation set, select the NEW button, insert name

and when prompted, choose the BAL Vegetation Assessment from the dropdown menu

(Figure 98).

Figure 98: To activate the bushfire risk assessment tools, new annotation type needs to be BAL Vegetation Assessment.

Using the polygon drawing tools ( and or ), define the vegetation classes for

bushfire risk assessment. After double clicking to close a polygon, a BAL Vegetation

Assessment window will open with a list of vegetation class categories that are consistent

with Table 2.3 of Australian Standard 3959 (Figure 99). The Bal Vegetation Assessment

window provides a field for defining the slope for each assessment transect.

Vegetation and slope assessment should be based on site inspection and the BAL

Vegetation Assessment annotation set is designed to record the information collected in the

field and provide for further assessment of bushfire risk through the determination of

Bushfire Hazard and Bushfire Attack Levels.

Figure 97: Bushfire risk assessment tools (BAL and BHL) are only activate for the BAL Vegetation Assessment annotation set (right) and are not active when for any other annotation type, like General (left).


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Figure 99: Vegetation type selection options for bushfire risk assessment and slope values entry window.

Figure 100: Two steps are needed to complete the BHL Assessment: defining the annotation set for the BHL Assessment and defining the extent of the assessment.


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After all the vegetation within the assessment area is classified, Bushfire Hazard Level (BHL)

and Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) can be determined by using the and tools. When

activated, the EPT will request a name for the new annotation set into which the BHL

mapping will be inserted (Figure 100). Pressing OK will open another window where the

extent of the assessment can be defined for example to the extent of the 150m buffer of the

assessed property (Figure 101). Alternatively, the BHL assessment can be undertaken for all

areas with classified vegetation by selecting the ‘Do not clip contours’ option from the drop-

down menu (Figure 102).

The BHL categories will appear in a new annotation set listed on the bottom of the list of

annotations and show area assessed as having “Extreme”, “Moderate” or “Low” level. The

classification and colour coding are consistent with Appendix 2 of the Guidelines for

Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas (WAPC, 2017).

To generate Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) contours , the same two steps will be

required. First a window will open with a prompt to nominate a name for the new annotation

set where the BAL contours will be placed, followed by a window where the mapping extent

of the BAL assessment will be defined. The BAL contours will be generated using the colour

coding provided in Appendix 3 of the Guidelines for Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas

(WAPC, 2017) (Figure 103).

Figure 101: BHL assessment within an assessment area defined by the 150m buffer of a property boundary.


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Figure 102: BHL assessment for all classified vegetation (not clipped to a defined boundary).

Figure 103: Example of BAL contours generated for an assessment area.

After switching to the annotation set which contains the BAL contours, choose the Summarise Annotation Set tool to calculate the area in hectares within each Bushfire Attack Level (Figure 104).


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Figure 104: Calculate the area in hectares within each Bushfire Attack Level category.

3.3.10 SLK markers

Add an SLK annotation - This tool becomes activated when a road is selected using the

EPT Selection tool (Figure 105). Activating the annotation tool will open the SLK

Marker window (Figure 106). Enter the desired SLK number and press OK. This will open

the ‘Point Annotation Properties’ window (Figure 106) where the display properties are

defined for the point representing the SLK number position (Figure 107).

Figure 105: The Add SLK Annotation tools is highlighted when a road is selected.


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Repeat these steps to mark all desired SLK points that define relevant road sections e.g.

start and finish point of planned roadworks.

Figure 107: Display of the defined SLK point location.

Figure 106: SLK Marker entry window.


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Appendix: EPT Icons Reference

Generic Tools Annotation Sets Tools

Pan map Add a point annotation

Zoom in Add a line annotation

Zoom in to a box

Add an area annotation

Zoom out

Add an area annotation, overwriting existing area

Go to previous map view

Add an area annotation, keeping existing area

Measure line distance

Add a dimensioned area

Measure multi-point line distance

Add feature using text coordinates

Measure an area

Delete area by drawing a polygon (create a hole in an area/s)

Click on a feature to select or deselect

Add a freehand annotation

Draw a box to select multiple features

Add or edit a text annotation

Select features using selected annotation or selection

Select or move an annotation

Open selection browser

Edit annotation vertex

Zoom to selected features

Delete annotation

Clear selected features Rotate annotation

Address and Crown Reserve search tool Buffer selected annotation/ features

Generate a report for a selected area

Summarise annotation set

Print map

Clip annotations to another annotation set

Clip out polygon annotations in polygons in another annotation set

Turn a multi-part annotation into several individual annotations

Slope/transect profiler

Create Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) contours

Create Bushfire Hazard Level (BHL) zones

Add SLK annotation


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Documents

A User’s Guidelbp.asn.au/UsersGuide.pdf · Business Development Officer (Environmental Planning Tool) WALGA ONE70, LV 1, 170 Railway Parade West Leederville Phone: (08) 9213 2521