From
knowledge to know how
The
provision of readily accessible, high quality information – at scales from
overview to fine scale is a primary challenge for the Flagship. This
has been well and truly borne out by our multiple communication experiences
in just the last couple of weeks. There is a real thirst for knowledge
on water solutions.
Practical
solutions to what are very complex and often poorly understood issues are
being sought across the broad spectrum of our clients - governments,
industry, water users and the community generally. It is great to be
the ambassador for the Flagship helping satisfy some of this thirst.
Increasingly, the research and knowledge being generated through the
Flagship, is being seen as the authoritative source of solutions.
 Our
recent Science Breakfast Briefing in Parliament on urban water and Managed
Aquifer Recharge was a great example. Hosted by Minister Brendan
Nelson, starring Dr Simon Toze and attended by approximately 40
parliamentarians and advisors, this event demonstrated the huge interest in
water solutions – in this case urban water and the reuse options.
Indeed
it has been a great few weeks. Last week the events spanned a visit by
the Malaysian Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment The Hon.
Dato Sri Adenan Satem to meet
various Australian ministers, the Science Briefing followed by numerous more
detailed briefings with Ministers and senior government committees
culminating in a Flagship sponsored workshop at the International
Riversymposium in Brisbane. The Symposium was keynoted by the Malaysian
Minister.
 The
Flagship workshop included participants from Nepal, India, Samoa, Bangladesh
and Malaysia and explored the many water management challenges confronting
Australia and our neighbors. An inspiring and excellent presentation
on Malaysia’s water resource challenges was given by Ahmad Fuad Embi,
Deputy Director-General Drainage and Irrigation.
This
week included a great interaction with the bi-ennial conference of the
Australian Catholic Women’s League. Several hundred community
leaders from across Australia and the questions just kept coming.
There was also a presentation putting Australia’s irrigation and
ecological water use within a global context at the ANU sponsored
Sustainable Water Management Symposium.
The
launch in July to the irrigation industry of three reports on the status of
the industry in the Murray and Murrumbidgee regions (see item this edition,
‘A Birds’ eye view’) and our ongoing discussions with this significant
industry group also reinforce the outcomes based nature of our research –
and again, that thirst for smart water solutions.
These
and many other interactions since our previous Newsletter have reinforced to
me two key messages. Firstly that we must expedite delivery of
research in three key areas;
- smarter
irrigation water systems – from scheme to paddock.
- the
urban investment opportunities that must find more water especially for
our big 4 major cities - Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane; and
- management
and repair guidelines for our water driven natural landscapes - our
rivers, estuaries, floodplains, wetlands and coasts.
The
second key message that is coming through loud and clear is that
underpinning the research findings must be a precise, fully accountable
knowledge framework, presenting information at spatial and temporal scales
and in multiple formats for multiple client needs.
Australia
expects this of CSIRO and its partners. It is a requirement of all Flagship
projects and essential if CSIRO and partners are to been seen as the
reputable source of water knowledge. If we achieve this excellence in
knowledge provision we will achieve far more than the ‘tenfold benefit’
stated in the Flagship goal. We will also secure the acknowledgement, role
and resources that a world leading science organization deserves.
Colin Creighton
colin.creighton@csiro.au
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