22/09/2006

The announcement yesterday by Prime Minister John Howard of additional funding of $5 million for the Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRACK) research hub was welcomed today by the chairman of Land & Water Australia, Mrs Bobbie Brazil.

The money is to be provided from the Australian Government's Raising National Water Standards programme.
It brings the total amount to be invested in TRACK by the Australian Government over the next four years to $16 million. This includes $8 million already committed from the Commonwealth Environmental Research Facilities Programme and $3 million from Land & Water Australia's Tropical Rivers Programme.

"This is great news and a far-sighted decision by the Government," Mrs Brazil said.

"Together with the $11 million to be provided by the other TRACK consortium partners, it means that over $27 million will be invested in undertaking the science that governments, communities and industries need to make better decisions for the wise use and management of Australia's northern rivers, floodplains and coasts.

As more pressure comes on the resources of the north, it is vital we develop a sound knowledge base and a stronger scientific capacity adapted to the unique conditions of the region.

"By understanding the natural assets and ecosystem services provided by tropical rivers and coasts, the Australian community can identify the opportunities for more sustainable agricultural enterprises as well as those values that need protecting in the northern Australia.

"Interest in further agricultural development in the north is growing so the need for good science to inform public debate and decision-making to ensure it is sustainable into the future is now more vital than ever," she said.

The TRACK research hub is led by Land & Water Australia, Charles Darwin University, Griffith University, the University of WA, CSIRO and the North Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance.

It involves the collaboration of the Australian Government with the NT, Queensland and WA governments and will bring together more than 50 leading researchers and managers from 10 agencies across Australia to better understand rivers, catchments, estuaries and coastlines from Cape York to Broome.

The research to be supported by money from the Raising National Water Standards programme will be used to enhance the knowledge and capacity to underpin water planning in the north for both surface water and groundwater systems, taking into account environmental, cultural and economic factors.

It will support the achievement of the objectives of the National Water Initiative in northern Australia.

A feature of the TRACK research hub will be engagement with the indigenous people who own and manage large parts of the catchments and coasts in tropical Australia.

Land & Water Australia, a statutory body under the Australian Government responsible for research and development into natural resource management and sustainable agriculture, is coordinating the research hub.

Media Enquiries: Kaaren Latham, 02 8204 3852, 0409 809 909, media@lwa.gov.au

ENDS