02-06-2004

The recently announced reappointment of Land & Water Australia Chair Bobbie Brazil offered a good opportunity to reflect on the organisation's achievements of the past three years, Mrs Brazil said in Townsville today.

During the past three years Land & Water Australia had recorded a number of significant achievements and advanced natural resource management research and thinking.

'Since I was initially appointed Chair of Land & Water Australia in 2001 the Corporation has experienced major change and growth,' Mrs Brazil said.

'We have embarked on a major partnership with Australian Wool Innovation through the $20 million Land, Water & Wool program which focuses on productive natural resource management solutions for the wool industry.

'A decade of climate research has provided a solid foundation for the new Managing Climate Variability Program, a collaborative approach aiming to improve the value of seasonal forecasting for industry and natural resource management.

'Through the Community Fellowship program we have identified many unsung heroes of the landscape, people who have put in many years of hard work to make a difference to the environment and productive and sustainable agriculture.

'The Social and Institutional Research Program has produced landmark publications bringing together the latest thinking on environmental management, and on land and water titles, rights and responsibilities. These documents identify a way forward through incredibly complex issues.

'And through rivers research we have produced guidelines to help people manage riparian areas for environmental and economic uses, particularly in the cotton and sugar industries.'

Mrs Brazil said Land & Water Australia was also now in a strong position to consolidate on past work and tackle future natural resource management challenges, including helping regional authorities across the country meet ambitious targets for improved land and water management.

'I'm truly excited and inspired by the work we are now undertaking. I can only wonder how much more will be achieved during the next three years.'

Land & Water Australia is one of 13 rural research and development corporations. It invests in and manages research and development activities aimed at the sustainable and productive use of the land, water and vegetation resources that are the foundation of Australian agriculture.

ENDS

Bobbie Brazil will be in Townsville with the rest of the Board of Land & Water Australia on June 2, 3 and 4. To organise an interview or request a photograph please contact Media Officer, Land & Water Australia 02 6263 6000