SEAF: Shared Environmental Analytics Facility

SEAF is a secure, cloud-based facility that provides shared infrastructure for analysing environmental data. Developed as a WABSI and WAMSI initiative with support from the Australian Research Data Commons, it provides a governed middle ground between isolated data silos and unrestricted data sharing. Data custodians retain control while approved users can work with information under agreed access, use and output conditions.

SEAF uses a hub-and-spoke model, combining central governance and technical infrastructure with regional environments designed around specific priorities and participants. This approach enables organisations to work from shared environmental baselines while maintaining appropriate controls over sensitive information, intellectual property and data use.

SEAF is designed to turn complex and fragmented environmental information into reproducible, transparent and reusable analytics, including insights, forecasts and maps. This can support environmental approvals, cumulative impact assessment, regional planning and coordination between jurisdictions.

For industry, shared intelligence can reduce uncertainty, rework and delays by supporting assessments using trusted, region-specific information. For government and regulators, it can improve consistency, transparency and repeatability while enabling a broader view of cumulative impacts. Current SEAF gateways include the Pilbara, Cockburn Sound and Darwin Harbour, demonstrating how shared analytics can be applied to regionally specific environmental challenges.