This Flagship is addressing one of Australia’s most pressing natural resource issues, the sustainable management of our water resources.
Overview
Australia’s best scientific research capabilities are being brought together to address the sustainable management of our water resources and deliver relevant and effective water management options. With a total investment of approximately A$86 million per annum, the Flagship is the largest research partnership focussing on water in Australia. The partners include:
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CSIRO
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State and Australian governments
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private and public industry
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other research providers.
The Flagship aims to achieve a tenfold increase in the economic, social and environmental benefits from water by 2025.
As demand for water increases, climate changes and storage sites reach capacity, Australia is looking to new strategies that reduce demand, increase efficiency, re-use wastewater and allow water to be traded. Our science is informing the decisions on where and how to best invest in these options and providing enabling technologies.
Achieving Australia's water potential is a long-term proposition requiring scientific application, innovative partnerships and emerging pathways for adoption.
Our research focus
Our research is supporting some of the major water policy and strategies at national and regional scales including the:
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National Water Initiative
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Reef Water Quality Protection Plan
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Living Murray Initiative.
The research is delivered through four major themes which collectively represent the major water research and management challenges confronting Australia:
 | Better Basin Futures research aims to develop tools, knowlege and strategies to predict and assess catchment and water use at the system scale. |
 | The Healthy Water Ecosystems Theme, as part of the Water for a Healthy Country Flagship, is working to increase knowledge and develop tools for the management, protection and restoration of Australia’s water ecosystems. |
 | The Water for a Healthy Country Flagship' Urban Water Theme is conducting research to ensure Australian can meet the demands that climate change and population growth will place on our limited water resources. |
 | Water Resources Observation Network (WRON) technologies are helping to revolutionise Australia’s ability to monitor, forecast and manage water demand, supply, quality and use patterns. |
The relationship between climate and the effect of climate change on water resources is integral to all our research agenda.
Partners in science and knowledge delivery
Partnerships are critical to the development, delivery and adoption of research. Complementing the skills of CSIRO scientists, we draw on the expertise of and advice of over 50 partners including representatives from:
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Universities
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Cooperative research centres
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Government and statutory authorities
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Research and development corporations
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Catchment management and natural resource management groups
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Community groups
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Public and private industry
Research capacity
Research excellence is fundamental to achieving our goal. We draw on the skills and expertise of our partners and from within CSIRO. Our primary research providers include:
The Flagship Collaboration Fund
The Flagship Collaboration Fund includes a contestable collaborative research program which offers funding for Flagship clusters and projects, visiting fellowships and postgraduate scholarships.
Two major programs being funded by the Collaboration Fund through Water for a Healthy Country Flagship are:
 | Developing the next generation of membrane technology to deliver Australia a safe and sustainable water resource. |
 | Through the National Research Flagships Collaboraton Fund, the CLLAMMecology Research Cluster is developing tools for evaluating water management options to sustain the economic and environmental health of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth. |
Find out more about Water for a Healthy Country research projects.
