Summary

This project will organise the collective expertise of 3 north Australian-based universities (James Cook University, Charles Darwin University and Central Queensland University) who have recently formed the Northern Australia Universities Alliance (NAUA).

The NAUA partners will collaborate on undertaking a program of stakeholder engagement and research needs analysis in 4 focal catchments (Nodes) in order to design, develop and cost a cohesive and impactful 3.5 year research program that delivers on the core priorities of those stakeholders in those 4 focal catchments.  These have been identified as:

• Wider Tindal Basin, NT
• Douglas Daly  and Roper River, NT
• Lower Fitzroy Basin/ Gilbert River, catchment QLD
• Kimberley-Ord Irrigation Scheme, WA

The research will involve the project team gaining a better understanding of the constraints to agricultural and water resource development, engaging with key stakeholders and government agencies to better understand the issues they believe are priorities for further research and then to develop a suitable research plan to address the issues identified during this process.

The research approach is largely based on desktop analysis, literature review, stakeholder engagement and meetings. No new primary information is expected to be generated in the first 6 month phase represented by this proposal. However, the activities in this proposal will generate a coherent research program that answers research priorities identified during this development phase.

Expected outcomes

The outcome of this project will be to collaboratively devise an integrated, co-designed and stakeholder supported program of suggested research in 4 geographic nodes to inform further RD&E across the CRCNA/ NAUA water security program of works.