Yes, that was not helpful. I believe you successfully scuttled my post by characterising it as an unreasonable/unprofessional/unethical request for free data. Perhaps you have made this assumption about me because I use a low cost GIS product? I do know a little bit about poorly funded government science/environment agencies as I worked for one for over a decade. You probably don't realise this but such posts come across as condescending and, in my case at least, discourage me from making future posts. I should not need to explain that my post had nothing to do with trying to avoid payment for good data or trying to get it cheap but rather trying to get it at all. If you have ever tried to work with or for LGAs and other (Australian) government agencies you will know that the wheels turn slow and sometimes not at all. For example, I made a request for the data I mentioned through the "Contact us now to start doing business" link/web form on the page I linked to well before posting here. As expected I still have not had any confirmation of my contact. I called up yesterday to see if my request was received and, if so, how it was progressing. Again, as expected, after some searching for my request in their system the person (anonymous - no name or dept was given) who it was to be directed to was unavailable and no offer to have them call or contact me was made - just an assurance that it *should* be dealt with soon. I'm running a competitive commercial business and deadlines must be met. When the only source of data for a project is from a government agency I know there will usually be bottlenecks that will slow the project up (unless, unfortunately, I have a direct contact at the agency). In such cases it is prudent to at least know of other sources for the data. As for supporting CSIRO I don't think their worth should be measured by their earning capacity or external earnings or that they should compete with private industry: they are not geared up for it and, as per my contact mentioned above, not too good at it (they don't have Paypal or shopping carts either!). What they do do well is science research. CSIRO's worth should be measured by its public good (which would be bountiful). Support probably has more to do with who I vote for come elections. I would argue that such data as I need to make reports that support improvements to the urban environment and public well-being probably should be open source so they can be used freely and often. This discussion at length however is not, in my opinion, relevant to this forum. So in future please think before posting responses that add noise to the SNR of the forum. This of course does not imply that you have not contributed a hell of a lot to the signal side of the ratio which is greatly appreciated. I'm still up for suggestions for data sources. My deadline is nigh.
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