- 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: Co-design phase
The Water Security for Northern Australia co-design phase laid the foundation for a long-term, stakeholder-driven research program focused on improving water security and enabling sustainable agricultural development across northern Australia. Delivered through the Northern Australia Universities Alliance (NAUA) – a collaboration between James Cook University, Charles Darwin University and CQUniversity – the project brought together regional expertise to identify the most pressing water and agricultural development challenges across four focal catchments: the Gilbert River catchment in north Queensland, the Lower Fitzroy catchment in central Queensland, the Daly catchment in the Northern Territory and the Ord River Irrigation Area in Western Australia. Through desktop analysis, literature review and extensive stakeholder engagement with industry, landholders, Traditional Owners, government agencies and regional organisations, the project identified shared priorities and place-based research needs across each node. This collaborative process informed the design of an integrated 3.5-year research program focused on practical solutions for water security, agricultural development and improved regional decision-making. The outcome was a cohesive, co-designed research agenda with strong stakeholder support, creating the foundation and implementation for the broader CRCNA Water Security for Northern Australia program (AT.7.2223014).
Water Security for Northern Australia program: Implementation phase
The Water Security for Northern Australia Program is a collaborative partnership between the CRCNA and the Northern Australia Universities Alliance (NAUA), delivering targeted research to support sustainable water resource development across northern Australia. Building on the co-design project that identified key challenges affecting water security, agricultural development and equitable water use across four focal nodes: the Gilbert catchment in north Queensland, Lower Fitzroy catchment in central Queensland, the Daly catchment in the Northern Territory, and the Ord River Irrigation Area in Western Australia. Through stakeholder-led co-design, 15 priority research projects were identified to address region-specific and cross-cutting challenges related to water availability, environmental management, agricultural productivity, supply chains and Indigenous access to water resources. These projects are grouped into four interconnected work packages spanning cross-regional research, water quality and environmental outcomes, water availability, cropping systems and alternative economic opportunities. The program is generating practical knowledge to improve water planning, development assessment and environmental management, while identifying opportunities to increase the economic value of water use across northern Australia. Research outcomes are intended to support more informed decision-making, reduce uncertainty and monitoring costs, improve water use efficiency, strengthen supply chain understanding and expand opportunities for Indigenous participation and benefit. Beyond the research itself, the program is building stronger connections between universities, industry, government, Traditional Owners and regional communities. This collaborative approach is helping to strengthen research capability, improve communication between stakeholder groups and support more effective, less contested water resource decision-making across northern Australia. Visit the Northern Australia Universities Alliance page: https://naua.edu.au/projects/water-security-alliance/
Water Security for Northern Australia program: Daly River catchment (NT)
The Daly River catchment is one of four focal nodes within the Water Security for Northern Australia (WSNA) program, which is investigating how water resources can support sustainable economic development while protecting culturally and environmentally significant ecosystems across northern Australia. The Daly River region supports important agricultural industries, including mangoes and broadacre crops, and contains one of the Northern Territory’s most significant river systems. This project brings together hydrology, climate science, ecology, agriculture and social science research to better understand the interactions between groundwater, surface water, ecosystems and agricultural development in the Daly River catchment. Research activities include modelling future climate impacts on water resources, improving understanding of the Oolloo Dolostone aquifer and spring systems, assessing the impacts of wet season water extraction on floodplains and ecosystems, and exploring opportunities and barriers for agricultural diversification and sustainable crop production. The project is also working closely with Traditional Owners, government and industry stakeholders to inform future water allocation and management decisions that balance environmental, cultural and economic outcomes. Through improved understanding of water systems, climate risks and agricultural practices, the research aims to support resilient farming systems, biodiversity conservation and long-term water security across the Daly River catchment. Node contact: Dr Dylan Irvine, Outstanding Future Researcher – Northern Water Futures, Charles Darwin University, email: dylan.irvine@cdu.edu.au Online publications: Producing Hydrological Projections under Climate Change: A Groundwater-inclusive Practical Guide was published in the journal Earth’s Future, 2025. 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.
Water Security for Northern Australia program: Lower Fitzroy catchment (CQ)
The Lower Fitzroy catchment is one of four focal nodes within the Water Security for Northern Australia (WSNA) program and is centred on the opportunities emerging from the development of Rookwood Weir in Central Queensland. While the region has strong potential for new irrigated agriculture, horticulture and specialty crops, further research is needed to reduce investment risk and support sustainable agricultural expansion across the catchment. This project is investigating how new irrigation infrastructure can support productive and resilient farming systems through research into agricultural technology, water quality monitoring, specialty crops and agricultural supply chains. Activities include assessing emerging agtech solutions for northern farming systems, developing smarter water quality monitoring approaches, evaluating the potential for higher value and specialty crops, and modelling the upstream and downstream supply chain requirements needed to support future agricultural growth. Researchers are working closely with growers and industry stakeholders to identify practical opportunities for innovation, including on-farm technology trials, crop performance evaluations and new production systems tailored to northern conditions. The project is also examining how future agricultural development may affect labour demand, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and fertiliser requirements, helping inform low-emissions and circular economy opportunities across the region. Through this integrated research approach, the project aims to support informed investment decisions, improve environmental outcomes and strengthen the long-term sustainability and productivity of the Lower Fitzroy agricultural precinct. 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.
Water Security for Northern Australia program: Ord River Irrigation Area
The Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) is one of four focal nodes within the Water Security for Northern Australia (WSNA) program and supports a diverse and expanding agricultural sector, including melons, mangoes, cotton and broadacre cropping. With continued development occurring across the East Kimberley and proposed expansion into the Northern Territory, the project is focused on balancing agricultural growth with environmental sustainability, water quality protection and long-term water security. The project is centred on the Keep River catchment, an environmentally significant system that provides habitat for threatened species including the Northern River Shark and Largetooth Sawfish. Research activities are investigating tropical catchment management approaches, agricultural runoff and water quality impacts, and strategies to improve monitoring and management of surface water in the region. The work draws on lessons from tropical catchments across northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef to inform future planning and sustainable development in the ORIA. In parallel, the project is exploring the social and economic value of water in the Ord River system, including how water is allocated and managed during dry years and under future climate scenarios. Researchers are working with industry, government and local stakeholders to better understand competing water demands, emerging industries such as green hydrogen, and opportunities to support resilient and adaptable water management frameworks for the region. Node contact: Dr Dylan Irvine, Outstanding Future Researcher – Northern Water Futures, Charles Darwin University, email: dylan.irvine@cdu.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.
Water Security for Northern Australia program: Gilbert River catchment (NQ)
The Gilbert River catchment is one of four focal nodes within the Water Security for Northern Australia (WSNA) program and contains significant environmental, cultural and economic values linked to its river systems, floodplains and permanent waterholes. The catchment supports important ecosystems, tourism and agricultural opportunities, and the project is focused on improving understanding of these interconnected values to support informed and sustainable future development. This project is investigating the ecology, hydrology and cultural significance of the Gilbert River catchment through four integrated research areas. These include aquatic flora and fauna surveys, understanding the persistence and groundwater contribution to permanent waterholes, assessing ecosystem services in proposed development areas, and identifying Indigenous cultural values and opportunities for water-based enterprise development. Research activities include field surveys, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, water chemistry tracing, groundwater analysis and environmental monitoring across the catchment. The project is also working closely with landholders, Traditional Owners and Indigenous ranger groups to support two-way knowledge sharing and strengthen regional water planning. Researchers are examining how future agricultural development and water extraction may affect biodiversity, water quality, cultural values and ecosystem services, while also identifying opportunities for sustainable agricultural and Indigenous-led development within the catchment. By addressing key knowledge gaps and improving baseline environmental and cultural data, the project aims to support future water management, conservation planning and sustainable economic development across the Gilbert River catchment. Node contact: Assoc Prof Nathan Waltham TropWATER email: nathan.waltham@jcu.edu.au Visit TropWater for more information: https://www.tropwater.com/projects/sustainable-water-security-in-northern-australia 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.