01/12/2005

Three of Australia's leading lights in natural resource management research will enjoy added support and recognition for their work following the announcement tonight of the Land & Water Australia Senior Research Fellowships for 2006

Land & Water AustraliaChairman Bobbie Brazil congratulated the three Fellowship winners - Dr David Freebairn from Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Dr Mark Stafford-Smith from the CSIRO and CRC for Desert Knowledge and Mr Gary Stoneham from the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment- on their Fellowships, valued at $100,000 each.

The Land & Water Australia Research Fellowships are an innovative, annual investment in the people who drive Australia's science and allow leading researchers to undertake focused research projects for a 12-month period.

Mrs Brazil said the three researchers would focus on very different research topics: Dr Freebairn aims to develop more practical catchment planning and management models; Dr Stafford-Smith aims to improve our knowledge of managing natural resources in desert landscapes; while Mr Stoneham will combine markets and science in the design of market-based systems for managing natural resources.

"Land & Water Australia is acutely aware that we need skilled and experienced scientists if we want to continue to generate important research outcomes that deliver a high return on the dollars invested by government and industry," said Mrs Brazil.

"Our Research Fellowships are an important contribution toward investing in new knowledge by Land & Water Australia. We are pleased once again this year to continue in the support and development of young and emerging researchers, as well as recognising, rewarding and 'liberating' some outstanding established researchers in their fields.

"It is important to also congratulate the respective employers of this year's Research Fellowship recipients for their vision in releasing some of their finest people. This is a great help to Land & Water Australia in its drive for groundbreaking research on the major natural resource management challenges that Australia faces today - and in the future."

For full details of Land & Water Australia's Research Fellowships program, visit our website www.lwa.gov.au or contact Dr Nick Schofield, 02 6263 6004

ENDS