- Author CRCNA and Northern Australia Universities Alliance research partners
- Publish date 8 November 2024
- Type Fact sheet
- Documents
- Water Security program
- Water
Summary
The Water Security for Northern Australia (WSNA) program is being delivered through a partnership between the CRCNA and the Northern Australia Universities Alliance from 2023 to 2026.
The research-focused approach is demonstrating that development and environmentally healthy and sustainable eco-systems can co-exist by better understanding the natural environment.
WSNA has 15 projects co-designed with stakeholders across four major northern water catchments:
- Lower Fitzroy catchment, Central Qld
- Gilbert River catchment, North Qld
- Daly River catchment, Northern Territory
- Ord River Irrigation Area, Western Australia.
Topics examine issues that prevent or restrict development of water resources, effective use, equitable access and environmental outcomes of water use.
Projects
Water Security for Northern Australia program: Implementation phase
This Water Security for Northern Australia program has been delivered through a partnership between the CRCNA and the Northern Australia Universities Alliance. It is intended this program will develop and implement a series of research projects which address problematic issues which are constraining sustainable water resource utilisation in four key precincts or focal nodes across Northern Australia. These focal nodes are (Gilbert (QLD), Daly-Katherine (NT), Ord (WA) and lower Fitzroy (QLD)). These focal nodes were selected by the CRCNA based on prior assessments and consultation indicating they are likely locations of further water resource development pressure. In order to develop such a series of research projects, it was first required that the relevant stakeholders in each focal node be engaged in a co-design process. The co-design phase of the Water Security for Northern Australia program has identified a series of 15 priorities to be further examined as part of this implementation phase of the Water Security for Northern Australia program.
Water Security for Northern Australia program: Lower Fitzroy catchment (CQ)
The Lower Fitzroy is one of the four nodes in the Water Security for Northern Australia program. The Lower Fitzroy catchment includes the Rookwood Weir which is nearing completion, however more research is required to reduce the risks for investors and new agricultural enterprises in the region. Some horticultural tree and specialty crops have promise but high value cropping will not automatically be created, in part because suitable soils are scattered along the river system. For more detailed information on project research topics, objectives and activity please read the attached factsheets for the WSNA Lower Fitzroy catchment Area. Node contact: Professor John Rolfe Central Queensland University, email: j.rolfe@cqu.edu.au Background: This Water Security for Northern Australia (WSNA) program is being delivered through a partnership between the CRCNA and the Northern Australia Universities Alliance. The WSNA program will develop and implement a series of research projects which address problematic issues which are constraining sustainable water resource utilisation in four key precincts or focal nodes across Northern Australia. These focal nodes are (Gilbert catchment (QLD), Daly River (NT), Ord River Irrigation Area (WA) and Lower Fitzroy catchment (QLD)). These focal nodes were selected by the CRCNA based on prior assessments and consultation indicating they are likely locations of further water resource development pressure. In order to develop such a series of research projects, it was first required that the relevant stakeholders in each focal node be engaged in a co-design process. The four focal nodes were developed through a 5-month engagement phase and now report to regional stakeholder advisory groups: Co-design phase of the Water Security for Northern Australia.