Message from the Director 

While recent rains have brought much needed relief to many areas of southern Australia, there has been little impact on some of our major water reservoirs. The role of research agencies like CSIRO is to develop solutions and options that not only help us cope with 'drought' but importantly the long term and sustained impact of climate change on water resources.

Over recent months we have commenced some major research initiatives across urban and regional Australia. Last month the Flagship, in collaboration with Victoria University hosted the launch of an exciting suite of research projects on Advanced Membrane Technologies, with the explicit aim of reducing the cost of producing desalinated water by up to 50%. This research is part of the Flagship Collaboration fund and is a partnership between CSIRO and nine of Australia's leading Universities.

The Flagship has recently formed a Research Alliance with the Queensland government, Griffith University and the University of Queensland. The Urban Water Security Research Alliance has been formed to address South-East Queensland's emerging urban water issues. Research will focus primarily on water security and recycling, and will link with other research institutions, including the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment, the e-Water CRC and the Water Services Association of Australia.  More information about the Alliance is available from our website or by contacting the Chief Executive of the Alliance Dr Mark O'Donohue.

Top of mind for many in the Flagship is the delivery of the Murray –Darling Basin Sustainable Yield Project. This is a massive task and is a great demonstration of cross disciplinary teams working cohesively to deliver what is arguably the first such assessment of its kind, not only nationally but internationally.  The study is due for completion in December 2007. The Terms of Reference and the Methods used in the study are available on our website.

In reflecting on what has been achieved over the past four years, I would like to thank all who have supported this initiative by helping to build partnerships and guide and deliver research. The coming months will see a significant growth in the Flagship.  We are expanding our research efforts, particularly in the areas of urban water management and in increasing our understanding of how Australia can manage its surface and groundwater resources for optimal economic, social and environmental outcomes.

Please feel free to contact me or any of our team about any of the items in this newsletter.

Tom Hatton
Director, Water for a Healthy Country Flagship







 

Update Home

Message from the Director

Major collaboration aims to improve energy efficient water desalination

Water Research Alliance for South-East Queensland

Greenhouse gases cut WA rainfall

Climate impacts on water security investigated for regional NSW

New study predicts the impact of forests on water

Valuing Recreation in the Murray

Science challenges in the Great Barrier Reef catchment

WATER RESOURCES: Quenching Data Thirst the First Step to Water Security

New sensor technology advances Australia's water management

Publications

Conferences

About this email
 

Meet some scientists from the Water for a Healthy Country Flagship

Meet Dr Sébastien Lamontagne


 
Meet Manh Hoang
 

EARLIER UPDATES 

December 2006

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April 2005

November 2004

The Water for a Healthy Country Flagship is a CSIRO initiative and part of the National Research Flagships program that aims to deliver scientific solutions to advance Australia's most important national objectives. One of the largest scientific initiatives ever mounted in Australia, it aligns closely with the Federal Government's National Research Priorities. The initiative brings together our national research resources to deliver breakthroughs in fields ranging from healthcare to light metals and the environment.

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