Bathurst software developers Appiwork have launched a new app which combines spatial data with historical imagery from NSW State Records to allow users to take a trip back in time.
Towns Through Time was created by Appiwork as part of the NSW Government’s apps4NSW competition, the first state government apps competition in Australia.
NSW minister for innovation and better regulation, Victor Dominello, launched the new Towns Through Time app on May 7.
“The new app presents complex and detailed imagery and data in a way that allow users to take themselves on a historic tour of NSW," Dominello said.
"It demonstrates the value of opening up government archives to private sector innovation,” Mr Dominello said.
“As a result of the NSW Government’s commitment to open data, information which previously sat dormant in the bureaucracy is now being used by developers to put the pages of history in people’s hands.”
Towns Through Time combines spatial data with historical imagery from State Records.
The app is capable of recognising a user’s location and can provide them with a catalogue of archival photos of the surrounding area.
Using Google Maps, location services and State Records’ databases, people can search for images based on their current location, places on a map, or with keywords and town names.
Appiwork’s, Zoe Hida, said the app had been designed with accessibility in mind.
“We hope that Towns Through Time is used by a wide range of people, especially school groups, families, tourists and locals who can reflect on where they grew up,” she said.
“State Records has a vast collection of wonderful photographs and documents and we are proud to help make those more accessible.
“Apps4NSW is a great opportunity to encourage creativity and innovation.
"It demonstrates how the NSW Government can work with app developers to assist and entertain people in NSW.”
