Use digital twins to support data-driven decisions

While digital engineering adds value at a project level and between projects, its real value is unlocked when it is integrated at a city-or precinct-level via digital twins.

A digital twin is a conceptual environment where large volumes of data are federated, visualised (usually in three or four dimensions), and used to improve decision-making. Other dimensions such as cost and sustainability can be easily integrated for a more complete picture.

Some Australian governments are beginning to recognise this opportunity, including New South Wales' Spatial Digital Twin, Queensland's SEQ Digital Twin and Victoria with its Fishermans Bend Digital Twin pilot and the establishment of Digital Twin Victoria.111 Many of these are supported by CSIRO's Data 61 National Spatial Data Infrastructure National Digital Twin Initiative.112

While digital twin pilots in these jurisdictions have demonstrated value, there is also an immediate need for a more integrated, cross-Jurisdictional collaboration paired with a consistent national approach. This will unlock additional value by driving a new era in long-term planning, policy development, infrastructure development and digital innovation.

While there are many current use cases, more will emerge as digital twin skills and technology develop further.

Governments can work together to accelerate digital twins by creating governance models, processes, technologies, systems and capabilities. These must be designed to drive cross-government collaboration in all aspects of data and digital approaches in the built environment.