Project Information
Additional trials to support development of a national framework for the assessment of river health
Total funding: up to $1,350,000 plus applicable GST from the Australian Government towards cost associated with supporting the work programme. Total value of the project is $1,850,000 with $500,000 being contributed by the Queensland government.
About the project
This project will contribute to the development of the Australian Water Resources Information System (AWRIS) national framework for the assessment of river and wetland health and improve its national applicability. It will apply the framework across four different ecosystems in Queensland – South-east Queensland; Central Queensland; Lake Eyre Basin; and the Wet Tropics – and compare it with current resource health assessment frameworks of these regions.
Project benefits
This project will contribute to the development of a national framework for the assessment of river and wetland health and improve its national applicability. Trials of the proposed national framework are currently being undertaken in Victoria and Tasmania. This project will trial the framework over different areas of Queensland that are representative of other ecological and geo-climatic environments found within other jurisdictions. Recommendations may be made for modifications to improve alignment of the framework with the assessment needs of these regions. This has national demonstration value for other northern and arid areas.
This project will support the National Water Initiative by integrating monitoring processes and systems to assist in enhancing aquatic ecosystem knowledge and building on existing river health monitoring approaches. In particular, it will enhance national consistency in river and wetland health monitoring.
About the Australian Government Water Fund
The Australian Government Water Fund is a $2 billion investment in water solutions for current and future generations. The Fund is a major investment by the Australian Government in water infrastructure, improved water management, and better practices in the stewardship of Australia’s scarce water resources. It will create opportunities for industries, for investment and for jobs while at the same time protecting and restoring our environment. The Fund comprises three programmes — the $1.6 billion Water Smart Australia programme, the $200 million Raising National Water Standards programme and the $200 million Community Water Grants programme