Hi

Was in the Perth Map Centre today to grab some maps and got a chance to see
the "new", read updated 1:50 000 maps. A few years ago CALM started
publishing the Second Series Land Management maps. These where smaller maps
covering half the area the old maps covered. Also they covered a lot less
of the south-west and so often one had to revert back to the first series
of 1:50 0000 maps or earlier. Worse still often these old maps where only
available as black and white photocopies and/or without topographical data.

Well the good news is that CALM has apparently gone back to the full map
size (like the early series) and updated them. However they have changed
the naming system used. For example Mundaring (printed 1990) is now called
Mundaring and Chidlow 2134-3 and 2134-2. The appear to be titled
"Operations Graphics 2004 / 2005." The new maps are "busy," that is a lot
of colour is used making them harder to read. On the good side they are
using more current data, the Mundaring and Chidlow map is based
topographical data from 2004 and the oldest dataset used is 2000. It also
now based on GDA94 datum, has UTM projection, includes the Bibbulmun Track
and shows access roads into DRA areas.

The new maps (two in one) retail for $12.65.

I haven't been able to track down as yet and index map as yet (the latest
one I have is dated August 2003) but have contacted CALM. If I obtain one I
will advise. Perth Map Centre had such a beast so it should be available.

This is a great improvement. It also looks like some areas, not "mapped"
for a long time have now been updated with new maps.

Regards
Andrew