Charles Darwin University (CDU) researchers will play a leading
role in a major new multi-million dollar research initiative
focusing on Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRACK).
The renewed interest in waterways of the tropical north follows
the announcement yesterday by Federal Environment Minister Ian
Campbell of $8 million for the establishment of a world-class
research hub funded from the Commonwealth Environmental Research
Facility (CERF) program.
The TRACK research hub, to be physically hosted at CDU Casuarina
campus, was one of three selected from almost 150 proposals. It is
led by Dr Michael Douglas and Prof. Stephen Garnett from CDU, Prof.
Stuart Bunn from Griffith University, Prof. Peter Davies from
University of Western Australia, Assoc. Prof. Jon Olley from CSIRO,
Joe Morrison from the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea
Management Alliance and CRC Tropical Savannas Management and Jim
Donaldson from Land & Water Australia.
The TRACK research hub was developed under the Tropical Science
Knowledge and Innovation collaborative framework between the NT,
Queensland and WA governments and was assisted by funding from the
NT Research and Innovation Board.
"Many of the same issues affect all of Australia’s
tropical jurisdictions,” said Professor Stephen Garnett,
Professor of Tropical Knowledge at CDU, “the TRACK research
hub will greatly improve the level of co-ordination in research and
management of the rivers and coasts across the region.”
The TRACK research hub will bring together over 50 leading
tropical river and coastal researchers and managers from 10
agencies across Australia to focus on the sustainability of rivers
and catchments from Cape York to Broome.
The TRACK research hub will draw on Land & Water
Australia’s considerable experience and expertise in managing
national, integrated, research programs.
A critical feature of the research will be engagement with
Indigenous people, who own and manage large parts of the
region’s catchments and coasts.
"Indigenous knowledge is of paramount importance to natural
resource management in northern Australia,” said Joe
Morrison, Executive Officer of the North Australia Indigenous Land
and Sea Management Alliance. “The involvement of NAILSMA in
the TRACK consortium will ensure substantial Indigenous involvement
in all programs.”
For further information, contact:
Dr Michael Douglas, Theme Leader, Aquatic Ecosystems and Water
Resources (Charles Darwin University, Darwin) - Ph: 08 89 467 261,
or 0408 467 000
