As Queensland's trusted source for priority biodiversity information, WildNet is home to over 5.3 million records encompassing wildlife sightings, survey results, species profiles and multimedia. This resource is essential for informed decisions, effective planning, scientific advancement and better conservation results that benefit our communities.

WildNet serves as a central repository of biodiversity data that permeates various products and processes within Queensland, both for public and internal governmental use. For the community, it offers reliable information through Species lists, interactive BioMaps, and extensive datasets on the open data portal.

WildNet data is used in conjunction with other datasets to create products for use in decision making and assessment processes. Examples of products that use WildNet data include:

• Essential Habitat Mapping
• Protected Plants Trigger Map
• Matters of State Environmental Significance
• Koala Habitat Mapping
• Biodiversity Planning Assessments
• Aquatic Conservation Assessments

In an effort to enhance the system's capabilities, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) is in the process of executing the WildNet modernisation project.

The project is focused on enhancing the capabilities of WildNet, transforming it into a modern, innovative Queensland Biodiversity Data Repository. This will serve as an asset to government and the community, facilitating a productive experience for data access and analysis.

Project steps

• Develop automated dataset ingestion pipelines to efficiently integrate data from a prioritised array of sources.
• Update templates to streamline the data ingestion process and provide comprehensive guidance on how to submit data to WildNet.
• Transform the WildNet application to be more user-friendly while offering enhanced features and functionalities.
• Reconstruct the data API for WildNet to ensure robust data exchange, supporting seamless access to biodiversity information for various user needs.
• Refresh the Species List and Species Profile web application, to enhance ease of accessibility of information and locations of Queensland’s priority species.

The modernisation project will utilise new technology to streamline and automate data management, significantly improving community access to up-to-date species information.

The data housed within WildNet is being migrated to a new cloud data platform with robust security controls and improved data access capabilities. Access to biodiversity data will be improved for departmental staff, industry and community users by delivering a new and improved system and user interface. The Project will also deliver a suite of Application Programming Interfaces, which will ensure ease of accessibility for both internal stakeholders and the broader public.

Project timing

In July 2023, DETSI launched the delivery phase of the WildNet modernisation project, marking the beginning of a transformative journey set to conclude by June 2025. This extensive two-year project timeline ensures that each step from development to deployment is executed with precision and in alignment with stakeholders' needs.

One key project deliverable is the creation and dissemination of comprehensive training materials and user documentation. Development of these resources will commence in January 2025 with collaborative review and stakeholder engagement continuing through the end of June 2025. The goal is to equip our users with the knowledge and tools needed to make the most of the new WildNet platform, ensuring a smooth and informed transition for all involved.

The full transition to the updated WildNet platform is scheduled for May 2025. All users will be migrated to the new system which provides improved features, usability, and performance.

June 2025 will mark the formal conclusion of the modernisation project, paving the way for WildNet's business as usual operations from July 2025 onwards. Post-launch, we will continue to support our users in adapting to the new system, gathering feedback for continuous improvements, and ensuring that WildNet remains a cutting-edge resource for biodiversity information and environmental management in Queensland.