How to use the 'Initiatives in your area' map

Map view / Text view

The two tabs above the map on the right give you the choice between a graphical map interface and a text-only tabular interface.

Step 1: What are you looking for?

To start browsing the map, click on any of the topics listed under Step 1 to see related initiatives.

Each initiative is represented by a different icon or colour, and you begin the search for what is happening in your area by ticking the box that appears to the right of each.

After you select the items that interest you, the map will update and show several different shapes, lines and/or icons. You can click on any of these images to find local information about that activity. If you view the map using the Text view option, the same information will appear within a text-only table.

Step 2: Where are you?

Once you have chosen which initiative(s) you would like to see on the map, you can localise your search. Enter your address or postcode, or even your school or community name under Step 2. If you choose to enter a postcode, please use one for a suburb or a district—a postcode for a post office (if associated with a PO box) or for a mail centre will not produce a meaningful result.

If you live in a rural area and do not have a fixed street address for your property, you can click on the Search by coordinates link to enter your geographic coordinates. Use latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal degree format.

Once you have entered a location, click the Go button and the map will update to show more localised information about the initiative(s) you have selected.

Reading the map

Each initiative is represented by a different icon, shape or line. You can find out more about each initiative by clicking on a corresponding icon or shape. This additional information is presented within an information bubble which displays over the map image.

Map controls

Can I view a different style of map?

In the top right-hand corner of the map there are four buttons that will change how the map looks.

Map
A standard map is shown. This is the default view.

Hybrid
The map will show a satellite image with state boundaries, roads and cities.

Terrain
The map will show state boundaries with mountains and valleys.

Satellite
The map will show a satellite image.

Click the View as full screen link underneath the map to open the selected view in full screen mode. This will appear in a new browser window. To exit full screen mode, simply close the browser window.

You can also choose to view the map as a text-only tabular table. Simply click on the Text view tab above the top of the map.

How do I zoom in?

In the top left-hand corner of the map there are controls on a scale to zoom in and out. You can click on the + or - buttons or slide the level up or down to adjust the zoom. Alternatively, you can double-click your left mouse button on the map to zoom in.

If you are using a keyboard to navigate the map, simply press + or - on your keyboard.

How do I move the map around?

In the top left-hand corner of the map, there are controls that look like compass points. Click on these to move the map up and down and left and right.

You can also move the map by dragging the map image around with your mouse. To do this, click and hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse cursor over the map.

If you are using a keyboard to navigate the map, simply press the arrow keys to move the map around.

Enabling JavaScript in your browser

For the best experience using the map, you will need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Internet Explorer

Select Tools from the menu at the top of the screen
Click on Internet Options
Click on Security
Select Custom level
Scroll through to Scripting
Under Active Scripting, select Enable and then click OK

Mozilla Firefox

Select Tools from the menu at the top of the screen
Click on Options
Click on the Content icon at the top of the window
Tick the check box next to Enable JavaScript and click OK

Opera

Depending on your version of Opera, click on the menu icon at the top left-hand side of the screen or on Tools in the menu bar
Click on Quick Preferences
Tick the check box next to Enable JavaScript

Apple Safari (Mac)

Click on Safari from the menu at the top of the screen
Click on Preferences
Click on Security
Tick the check box next to Enable JavaScript
Close the Preferences window

Apple Safari (Windows)

Click on the settings button (picture of a cog) at the top of the screen
Click on Preferences
Click on Security
Tick the check box next to Enable JavaScript
Close the Security window

Netscape Navigator

Click on Tools from the menu at the top of the screen
Click on Site Controls
Under the area labelled Web Features, tick the check box marked JavaScript and click OK

Google Chrome

JavaScript is enabled by default in Chrome.

Screen readers

The default graphical map interface is not accessible to screen readers. If you are using a screen reader, navigate to the Text view by selecting this tab above the map on the right to display a text-only tabular interface.

Clicking on any of the initiatives listed under Step 1 will result in the text-only table updating to display information relating to the selected topics.