ENG-2010 — Page 277

Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation | 227

processes apportionments of premium and government rents, and recovers arrears. of government rents by taking re-entry or vesting action.

Survey and Mapping

The Survey and Mapping Office (SMO) of the Lands Department provides survey and mapping services in support of land administration and infrastructure development. It produces topographical maps, carries out land boundary surveys and maintains a geodetic survey network. A Satellite Positioning Reference Station Network and a computerised Land Information System were established as the main survey and mapping infrastructures for these survey and mapping activities to be carried out more efficiently. The SMO also provides support to the Land Survey Authority to administer the Land Survey Ordinance which governs the registration and conduct of Authorised Land Surveyors as well as land boundary survey standards.

The Satellite Positioning Reference Station's data service, previously available only to government users, is now also offered to the public free of charge. The service supports positioning applications for mapping, construction works, navigation, land-use planning and scientific research. Within the Government, the Data Dissemination System (DDS) is the major portal for geospatial data integration and sharing among bureaux and departments. Externally, the DDS serves the public through its website 'Hong Kong Map Service' operating as a channel for individuals and companies to purchase digital map products online.

In collaboration with other departments, the SMO developed the Geospatial Information Hub (GIH) as a government-wide web-based information integration and sharing platform. The GIH supports the operation of more than 50 bureaux and departments in delivering public services. Based the GIH model, a new

government web map portal called 'Geoinfo Map' was launched in May 2010 to facilitate the search of geographic information by the public and to support other departments' websites in providing community-related information. It helps the public find the locations of public facilities and obtain the relevant geospatial information provided by various departments.

The 3D Spatial Data Processing System operated by the SMO maintains territory- wide 3D photorealistic models of major ground features such as buildings, roads and terrain. 3D spatial data are useful for project planning and engineering construction.

Land Registration

Land registration safeguards the rights of Hong Kong's social and economic development and underpins its importance. The Land Registry provides a comprehensive service for registering documents affecting land and keeping land records in electronic format for public search. Over 2.8 million land registers and 20 million documents can be accessed electronically.