$30 million all for groundwater proposals
11 March 2008
Eligible organisations have been invited to submit proposals for funding under the new $30 million Centre for Groundwater Research and Training.
Mr Ken Matthews, CEO of the National Water Commission, said, "The national Centre for Groundwater Research and Training is being established under the National Groundwater Action Plan.
"The centre will build up Australia's groundwater knowledge and tackle the critical shortage of skilled groundwater scientists and managers."
"Compared to surface water, groundwater has been the poor cousin of Australian water resources, with limited time and effort being devoted to its planning, management and sustainable development."
"This new Centre, together with the other elements of the National Groundwater Action Plan, will underpin sustainable management of our groundwater resources and advance the reforms agreed to under the National Water Initiative objectives."
The primary function of the Centre will be to train postgraduate and postdoctoral scientists in advanced hydrogeological and related technologies, as well as improving knowledge of groundwater connectivity and policy and management issues confronting water managers.
Application funding information is available at http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/sri/groundwater.htm with proposals due by 30 May 2008.
The National Groundwater Action Plan is an $82 million Australian Government investment in improved groundwater knowledge and management which comprises three key elements: a $50 million National Groundwater Assessment Initiative; a $30 million Centre for Groundwater Research and Training, jointly funded by the National Water Commission and the Australian Research Council; and a $2 million Knowledge and Capacity Building component.
Media contact: Lynne Griffiths, NWC Communications Manager
02 6102 6023 / 0412 787 942