diff --git a/python/plugins/GdalTools/GdalTools.py b/python/plugins/GdalTools/GdalTools.py
index 914233c..2ee7df5 100644
--- a/python/plugins/GdalTools/GdalTools.py
+++ b/python/plugins/GdalTools/GdalTools.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ class GdalTools:
       return None
 
     from tools.GdalTools_utils import Version, GdalConfig, LayerRegistry
-    self.GdalVersion = Version( GdalConfig.version() )
+    self.GdalVersionNum = Version( GdalConfig.versionNum() )
     LayerRegistry.setIface( self.iface )
 
     # find the Raster menu
@@ -141,13 +141,13 @@ class GdalTools:
     # conversion menu (Rasterize (Vector to raster), Polygonize (Raster to vector), Translate, RGB to PCT, PCT to RGB)
     self.conversionMenu = QMenu( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Conversion" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
 
-    if self.GdalVersion >= "1.3":
+    if self.GdalVersionNum >= 1300:
       self.rasterize = QAction( QIcon(":/icons/rasterize.png"), QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Rasterize (Vector to raster)" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
       self.rasterize.setStatusTip( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Burns vector geometries into a raster") )
       QObject.connect( self.rasterize, SIGNAL( "triggered()" ), self.doRasterize )
       self.conversionMenu.addAction( self.rasterize )
 
-    if self.GdalVersion >= "1.6":
+    if self.GdalVersionNum >= 1600:
       self.polygonize = QAction( QIcon(":/icons/polygonize.png"), QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Polygonize (Raster to vector)" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
       self.polygonize.setStatusTip( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Produces a polygon feature layer from a raster") )
       QObject.connect( self.polygonize, SIGNAL( "triggered()" ), self.doPolygonize )
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ class GdalTools:
     # extraction menu (Clipper, Contour)
     self.extractionMenu = QMenu( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Extraction" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
 
-    if self.GdalVersion >= "1.6":
+    if self.GdalVersionNum >= 1600:
       self.contour = QAction( QIcon(":/icons/contour.png"), QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Contour" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
       self.contour.setStatusTip( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Builds vector contour lines from a DEM") )
       QObject.connect( self.contour, SIGNAL( "triggered()" ), self.doContour )
@@ -185,37 +185,37 @@ class GdalTools:
     # analysis menu (DEM (Terrain model), Grid (Interpolation), Near black, Proximity (Raster distance), Sieve)
     self.analysisMenu = QMenu( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Analysis" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
 
-    if self.GdalVersion >= "1.6":
+    if self.GdalVersionNum >= 1600:
       self.sieve = QAction( QIcon(":/icons/sieve.png"), QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Sieve" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
       self.sieve.setStatusTip( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Removes small raster polygons") )
       QObject.connect( self.sieve, SIGNAL( "triggered()" ), self.doSieve )
       self.analysisMenu.addAction( self.sieve )
 
-    if self.GdalVersion >= "1.5":
+    if self.GdalVersionNum >= 1500:
       self.nearBlack = QAction( QIcon(":/icons/nearblack.png"),  QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Near black" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
       self.nearBlack.setStatusTip( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Convert nearly black/white borders to exact value") )
       QObject.connect( self.nearBlack, SIGNAL( "triggered()" ), self.doNearBlack )
       self.analysisMenu.addAction( self.nearBlack )
 
-    if self.GdalVersion >= "1.7":
+    if self.GdalVersionNum >= 1700:
       self.fillNodata = QAction( QIcon(":/icons/fillnodata.png"), QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Fill nodata" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
       self.fillNodata.setStatusTip( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Fill raster regions by interpolation from edges") )
       QObject.connect( self.fillNodata, SIGNAL( "triggered()" ), self.doFillNodata )
       self.analysisMenu.addAction( self.fillNodata )
 
-    if self.GdalVersion >= "1.6":
+    if self.GdalVersionNum >= 1600:
       self.proximity = QAction( QIcon(":/icons/proximity.png"),  QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Proximity (Raster distance)" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
       self.proximity.setStatusTip( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Produces a raster proximity map") )
       QObject.connect( self.proximity, SIGNAL( "triggered()" ), self.doProximity )
       self.analysisMenu.addAction( self.proximity )
 
-    if self.GdalVersion >= "1.5":
+    if self.GdalVersionNum >= 1500:
       self.grid = QAction( QIcon(":/icons/grid.png"), QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Grid (Interpolation)" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
       self.grid.setStatusTip( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Create raster from the scattered data") )
       QObject.connect( self.grid, SIGNAL( "triggered()" ), self.doGrid )
       self.analysisMenu.addAction( self.grid )
 
-    if self.GdalVersion >= "1.7":
+    if self.GdalVersionNum >= 1700:
       self.dem = QAction( QIcon( ":icons/dem.png" ), QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "DEM (Terrain models)" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
       self.dem.setStatusTip( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Tool to analyze and visualize DEMs" ) )
       QObject.connect( self.dem, SIGNAL( "triggered()" ), self.doDEM )
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ class GdalTools:
     # miscellaneous menu (Build overviews (Pyramids), Tile index, Information, Merge, Build Virtual Raster (Catalog))
     self.miscellaneousMenu = QMenu( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Miscellaneous" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
 
-    if self.GdalVersion >= "1.6":
+    if self.GdalVersionNum >= 1600:
       self.buildVRT = QAction( QIcon(":/icons/vrt.png"), QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Build Virtual Raster (Catalog)" ), self.iface.mainWindow() )
       self.buildVRT.setStatusTip( QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "Builds a VRT from a list of datasets") )
       QObject.connect( self.buildVRT, SIGNAL( "triggered()" ), self.doBuildVRT )
diff --git a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/GdalTools_utils.py b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/GdalTools_utils.py
index 7295559..5a92d58 100644
--- a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/GdalTools_utils.py
+++ b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/GdalTools_utils.py
@@ -235,9 +235,9 @@ def fillVectorOutputFormat(aFilter = None, filename = None):
   return shortName
 
 class UnsupportedOGRFormat(Exception):
-    def __init__(self): 
+    def __init__(self):
       msg = QCoreApplication.translate( "GdalTools", "The selected file is not a supported OGR format" )
-      Exception.__init__(self, msg) 
+      Exception.__init__(self, msg)
 
 def getVectorFields(vectorFile):
     hds = ogr.Open( unicode(vectorFile).encode('utf8') )
@@ -289,10 +289,10 @@ def getRasterExtent(parent, fileName):
     if processSRS.waitForFinished():
       arr = processSRS.readAllStandardOutput()
       processSRS.close()
-      
+
     if arr.isEmpty():
       return
-      
+
     info = QString( arr ).split( "\n" )
     ulCoord = info[ info.indexOf( QRegExp( "^Upper\sLeft.*" ) ) ].simplified()
     lrCoord = info[ info.indexOf( QRegExp( "^Lower\sRight.*" ) ) ].simplified()
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ class FileFilter:
       QgsRasterLayer.buildSupportedRasterFileFilter(self.rastersFilter)
 
       # workaround for QGis < 1.5 (see #2376)
-      # separates multiple extensions that joined by a slash 
+      # separates multiple extensions that joined by a slash
       if QGis.QGIS_VERSION[0:3] < "1.5":
           formats = self.rastersFilter.split( ";;" )
           self.rastersFilter = QString()
@@ -477,6 +477,10 @@ class GdalConfig:
   def version(self):
       return Version(gdal.VersionInfo("RELEASE_NAME"))
 
+  @classmethod
+  def versionNum(self):
+      return int(gdal.VersionInfo("VERSION_NUM"))
+
   # store the supported rasters info
   supportedRasters = None
 
@@ -748,7 +752,7 @@ class Version:
       vers = ['0', '0', '0']
 
       nums = str(string).split(".")
-      
+
       if len(nums) > 0:
         vers[0] = nums[0]
       if len(nums) > 1:
@@ -774,7 +778,7 @@ class Version:
 
 def setProcessEnvironment(process):
     envvar_list = {
-        "PATH" : getGdalBinPath(), 
+        "PATH" : getGdalBinPath(),
         "PYTHONPATH" : getGdalPymodPath()
     }
 
@@ -813,13 +817,13 @@ def setMacOSXDefaultEnvironment():
   # QgsApplication.prefixPath() contains the path to qgis executable (i.e. .../Qgis.app/MacOS)
   # get the path to Qgis application folder
   qgis_app = u"%s/.." % QgsApplication.prefixPath()
-  qgis_app = QDir( qgis_app ).absolutePath()   
+  qgis_app = QDir( qgis_app ).absolutePath()
 
   qgis_bin = u"%s/bin" % QgsApplication.prefixPath()   # path to QGis bin folder
   qgis_python = u"%s/Resources/python" % qgis_app    # path to QGis python folder
 
   # path to the GDAL framework within the Qgis application folder (QGis standalone only)
-  qgis_standalone_gdal_path = u"%s/Frameworks/GDAL.framework" % qgis_app   
+  qgis_standalone_gdal_path = u"%s/Frameworks/GDAL.framework" % qgis_app
 
   # path to the GDAL framework when installed as external framework
   gdal_bin_path = u"/Library/Frameworks/GDAL.framework/Versions/%s/Programs" % str(GdalConfig.version())[:3]
diff --git a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doBuildVRT.py b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doBuildVRT.py
index d355ffe..baab701 100644
--- a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doBuildVRT.py
+++ b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doBuildVRT.py
@@ -25,13 +25,13 @@ class GdalToolsDialog(QWidget, Ui_Widget, BasePluginWidget):
 
       self.setParamsStatus(
         [
-          (self.inSelector, SIGNAL("filenameChanged()")), 
-          (self.outSelector, SIGNAL("filenameChanged()")), 
+          (self.inSelector, SIGNAL("filenameChanged()")),
+          (self.outSelector, SIGNAL("filenameChanged()")),
           (self.resolutionComboBox, SIGNAL("currentIndexChanged(int)"), self.resolutionCheck),
-          (self.srcNoDataSpin, SIGNAL("valueChanged(int)"), self.srcNoDataCheck, "1.7.0"),
+          (self.srcNoDataSpin, SIGNAL("valueChanged(int)"), self.srcNoDataCheck, 1700),
           (self.inputDirCheck, SIGNAL("stateChanged(int)")),
-          (self.separateCheck, SIGNAL("stateChanged(int)"), None, "1.7.0"),
-          (self.allowProjDiffCheck, SIGNAL("stateChanged(int)"), None, "1.7.0"),
+          (self.separateCheck, SIGNAL("stateChanged(int)"), None, 1700),
+          (self.allowProjDiffCheck, SIGNAL("stateChanged(int)"), None, 1700),
           (self.recurseCheck, SIGNAL("stateChanged(int)"), self.inputDirCheck),
           (self.inputSelLayersCheck, SIGNAL("stateChanged(int)"))
         ]
diff --git a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doClipper.py b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doClipper.py
index 798bfd2..c453ed6 100644
--- a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doClipper.py
+++ b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doClipper.py
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@ class GdalToolsDialog(QWidget, Ui_Widget, BasePluginWidget):
         [
           (self.inSelector, SIGNAL("filenameChanged()") ),
           (self.outSelector, SIGNAL("filenameChanged()") ),
-          (self.noDataSpin, SIGNAL("valueChanged(int)"), self.noDataCheck, "1.7.0"),
-          (self.maskSelector, SIGNAL("filenameChanged()"), self.maskModeRadio, "1.6.0"),
+          (self.noDataSpin, SIGNAL("valueChanged(int)"), self.noDataCheck, 1700),
+          (self.maskSelector, SIGNAL("filenameChanged()"), self.maskModeRadio, 1600),
           (self.alphaBandCheck, SIGNAL( "stateChanged( int )") ),
-          (self.extentSelector, [SIGNAL("selectionStarted()"), SIGNAL("newExtentDefined()")], self.extentModeRadio), 
+          (self.extentSelector, [SIGNAL("selectionStarted()"), SIGNAL("newExtentDefined()")], self.extentModeRadio),
           (self.modeStackedWidget, SIGNAL("currentIndexChanged(int)"))
         ]
       )
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ class GdalToolsDialog(QWidget, Ui_Widget, BasePluginWidget):
           arguments << "-q"
           arguments << "-cutline"
           arguments << mask
-          if Utils.GdalConfig.version() >= "1.8.0":
+          if Utils.GdalConfig.versionNum() >= 1800:
             arguments << "-crop_to_cutline"
           if self.alphaBandCheck.isChecked():
             arguments << "-dstalpha"
diff --git a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doContour.py b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doContour.py
index 57520a0..2a304b3 100644
--- a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doContour.py
+++ b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doContour.py
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ class GdalToolsDialog(QWidget, Ui_Widget, BasePluginWidget):
       self.setupUi(self)
       BasePluginWidget.__init__(self, self.iface, "gdal_contour")
 
-      gdalVersion = Utils.GdalConfig.version()
-      self.useDirAsOutput = gdalVersion < "1.7.0"
+      gdalVersion = Utils.GdalConfig.versionNum()
+      self.useDirAsOutput = gdalVersion < 1700
       if self.useDirAsOutput:
 	      self.label_2.setText( QApplication.translate("GdalToolsWidget", "&Output directory for contour lines (shapefile)") )
 
diff --git a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doRasterize.py b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doRasterize.py
index 1cf4e23..23b8203 100644
--- a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doRasterize.py
+++ b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doRasterize.py
@@ -64,8 +64,8 @@ class GdalToolsDialog(QWidget, Ui_Widget, BasePluginWidget):
       lastUsedFilter = Utils.FileFilter.lastUsedRasterFilter()
 
       # rasterize supports output file creation for GDAL 1.8
-      gdalVersion = Utils.GdalConfig.version()
-      if gdalVersion >= "1.8.0":
+      gdalVersion = Utils.GdalConfig.versionNum()
+      if gdalVersion >= 1800:
         fileDialogFunc = Utils.FileDialog.getSaveFileName
       else:
         fileDialogFunc = Utils.FileDialog.getOpenFileName
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class GdalToolsDialog(QWidget, Ui_Widget, BasePluginWidget):
 
       self.outSelector.setFilename(outputFile)
 
-      # required either -ts or -tr to create the output file 
+      # required either -ts or -tr to create the output file
       if gdalVersion >= "1.8.0":
         if not QFileInfo(outputFile).exists():
           QMessageBox.information( self, self.tr( "Output size required" ), self.tr( "The output file doesn't exist. You must set up the output size to create it." ) )
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class GdalToolsDialog(QWidget, Ui_Widget, BasePluginWidget):
         arguments << str( self.heightSpin.value() )
       inputFn = self.getInputFileName()
       if not inputFn.isEmpty():
-        arguments << "-l" 
+        arguments << "-l"
         arguments << QFileInfo( inputFn ).baseName()
       arguments << inputFn
       arguments << self.getOutputFileName()
diff --git a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doTileIndex.py b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doTileIndex.py
index 6f0c551..e1c2a3e 100644
--- a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doTileIndex.py
+++ b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doTileIndex.py
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ class GdalToolsDialog( QWidget, Ui_Widget, BasePluginWidget ):
           #( self.recurseCheck, SIGNAL( "stateChanged( int )" ),
           ( self.outSelector, SIGNAL( "filenameChanged()" ) ),
           ( self.indexFieldEdit, SIGNAL( "textChanged( const QString & )" ), self.indexFieldCheck),
-          ( self.absolutePathCheck, SIGNAL( "stateChanged( int )" ), None, "1.5.0" ),
-          ( self.skipDifferentProjCheck, SIGNAL( "stateChanged( int )" ), None, "1.5.0" )
+          ( self.absolutePathCheck, SIGNAL( "stateChanged( int )" ), None, 1500 ),
+          ( self.skipDifferentProjCheck, SIGNAL( "stateChanged( int )" ), None, 1500 )
         ]
       )
 
diff --git a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doTranslate.py b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doTranslate.py
index e9d21bf..71e9fef 100644
--- a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doTranslate.py
+++ b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doTranslate.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class GdalToolsDialog(QWidget, Ui_Widget, BaseBatchWidget):
       self.formatLabel.hide()
       self.formatCombo.hide()
 
-      if Utils.Version( Utils.GdalConfig.version() ) < "1.7":
+      if Utils.Version( Utils.GdalConfig.versionNum() ) < 1700:
         index = self.expandCombo.findText('gray', Qt.MatchFixedString)
         if index >= 0:
           self.expandCombo.removeItem(index)
diff --git a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doWarp.py b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doWarp.py
index 52ca5f7..7051b11 100644
--- a/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doWarp.py
+++ b/python/plugins/GdalTools/tools/doWarp.py
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ class GdalToolsDialog(QWidget, Ui_Widget, BaseBatchWidget):
           (self.cacheSpin, SIGNAL("valueChanged(int)"), self.cacheCheck),
           ( [self.widthSpin, self.heightSpin], SIGNAL( "valueChanged(int)" ), self.resizeGroupBox ),
           (self.multithreadCheck, SIGNAL("stateChanged(int)")),
-          (self.noDataEdit, SIGNAL( "textChanged( const QString & )" ), self.noDataCheck), 
-          (self.maskSelector, SIGNAL("filenameChanged()"), self.maskCheck, "1.6.0"), 
+          (self.noDataEdit, SIGNAL( "textChanged( const QString & )" ), self.noDataCheck),
+          (self.maskSelector, SIGNAL("filenameChanged()"), self.maskCheck, 1600),
         ]
       )