Newsletter APRIL 2006

What’s happening in research at the University of The Water Research Cluster continues to evolve as research projects are developed with diverse partners, with a particular emphasis emerging on sustainability. Along with an update of current activities, this Newsletter features articles on recent water policy announcements and funding calls.

In this issue: • Water Research Cluster News • Water Jobs & Scholarships • New Cluster Member profile: Dr Jungho Suh • Cluster Activities: worldwide GLEON network • Water News Updates of lake ecological observatories • Prizes and Awards • Water Information Links • Who is the Water Research Cluster • Water Organisation Links • Water Research Cluster Postgraduate • Water Funding Calls Corner: The evolving science of constructed • Water Research Links –Funding wetlands Opportunities, Grants, Tenders • Water Fact File: bottled water, surprise • Water Conference Diary environmental benefits of Cyclone Larry

Urrbrae Wetland nine years old (2006) (photo: Allin Hodson)

1997 Urrbrae wetland just constructed in 1997 (photo supplied by Allin Hodson)

2006

This edition edited by Anne E Jensen, Environmental Consultant contact [email protected] mobile 0407 170 706 Water Research Cluster News by Dr Paul Dalby, Water Research Cluster Coordinator ARC Linkage Seed Funding Invest Australia Seeks New Water Research Cluster The Water Research Cluster is again Innovation Projects Seminar Series offering cash support of $1,000 to Invest Australia facilitates investment into The Water Research Cluster has launched staff to assist in Australia from businesses overseas. Paul a new seminar series aimed at providing a the preparation of applications to the next Dalby met with a delegation from Invest forum for researchers in the Cluster to hear round of the ARC Linkage Program. The Australia business advisors based in about research being undertaken across funding can be used to employ casual Europe who wish to identify technologies the University on water management and assistance to prepare budgets, write which require capital input or where science. The first Water Research Cluster the grants, liaise with partners, etc. there is IP available for sale. They have Seminar was held on 21 April. clients in Europe interested in water- The $1,000 is contingent on the following The speakers were: criteria being met: related technologies, particularly (but not exclusively) in technologies relating to • Prof. Christopher Findlay, new • the research project relates to water and desalination. If you have some ideas of Head of School of Economics, on is “multi-disciplinary” in nature IP/technology that would be appropriate to water related research interests • the project is ineligible for the Science present to Invest Australia or are interested in the School of Economics Faculty support of $5,000 (which in seeking more information, you may • Mr. Michael Leonard, Civil and requires the CI to be based in the either contact Paul Dalby, (see below) or Environmental Engineering, on Science Faculty and the industry go to http://www.investaustralia.gov.au/ Stochastic Rainfall Modelling in Space contribution to be 30% or greater). and Time Federation Fellows • Dr. Megan Lewis, Soil and Land If you would like to take advantage of Members and supporters of the Water Systems, on GIS and remote sensing this offer by the Cluster, please email the Research Cluster are encouraged to consider for water management following information to Paul Dalby: appropriate applications for Federation • project title Fellowships in the area of water research • Dr. Justin Brookes, Environmental • a brief description of the project management for submission to the University Biology, on water quality science and of Adelaide’s internal assessment process. technology. • the Chief Investigators and other Support from the Cluster can be sought participating researchers for developing a full submission if the initial Each speaker provided a short overview of research in their respective areas, with • a short justification on why the project application is approved internally. examples of research projects to illustrate is multi-disciplinary The Australian Research Council’s application of various technologies. It was • a list of the industry partners and their Federation Fellowships are innovative notable that each presenter emphasized contribution and highly prestigious awards designed to relationships with stakeholders which are develop and retain Australian skills. Open to expected to lead to application of their • a list of the other cash and in-kind applications from outstanding international research into natural resource management. resources sought for the project researchers, Federation Fellowships Several points of potential collaboration (including ARC and University in-kind). particularly encourages applications across the Cluster were highlighted from Australian and non-Australian The Cluster Leadership Panel will make the during the seminar, and participants researchers currently working overseas. final decision on which projects will receive were encouraged to follow these up. seed funding. The University of Adelaide will implement a Further seminars are likely to follow a similar new internal process for vetting Federation informal short format of 3-4 presenters over New Communication Fellow applications for the next round. Initial lunch or late afternoon drinks to encourage Medium Launched applicants will need to submit their CV interaction between Cluster disciplines. which will be assessed internally and the The Water Research Cluster has launched best candidates will be asked to develop a Other Seminars relevant to water science News Splash, a regular information email full application. Full submissions are due in and management are listed on the Cluster giving an update of activities, programs and October 2006. website: http://water.adelaide.edu.au news related to water related research. Each News Splash has a series of short articles of a few lines with links to further information. More details are given in Water Information Links later in this Newsletter.

 Water ribbon flowering at Wellington Developments proposed wetland (photo: Anne Jensen) Research Cluster Profile: Introducing new lecturer Dr Jungho Suh PhD (Economics), MA (Political Sciences and Economics), BA (Economics)

Position: Lecturer, Discipline of environmental issues involving physical and human geography, Geographical and Environmental economics, philosophy and governance. Next semester, he will teach Studies, School of Social (Natural) Resource Scarcity and Allocation, which he interprets as a Sciences natural resource economics subject designed for non-economists. Teaching: Sustaining a Fragile Apart from his key research interest of non-market valuation of forests, Planet; Resource Scarcity and his other research interests include: Allocation • financial aspects of the management of natural resources • the social and environmental impact of forest industry Research field: non-market development options on regional communities valuation of forests, employing the travel cost method, the • the assessment of recreation and other opportunities in natural contingent valuation method areas using multi-objective decision-support techniques. or choice modelling. Ho hopes to be an active and constructive researcher in collaboration Ho has a doctoral degree in the field of economics in January 2002 with the other cluster members. He is excited to join the cluster and from the , and he joined the Discipline of keen to contribute to the efforts of the water cluster by producing Geographical and Environmental Studies at the University of Adelaide sound and useful research outputs in the near future. in February 2006. Since his arrival, he has spent most of his time in Contact: Rm 811, Napier Building. teaching and coordinating a first-year subject, Sustaining a Fragile Phone No. 8303 3014 Planet, which covers a wide range of contemporary global and local Email: [email protected] Water News Updates

Australian Government Private sector urged to help and quantity.” Futurist Dr Keith Suter says there is now much greater public awareness to prepare develop water strategies about the situation. “It is very significant the issues paper The head of the National Water Commission way in which water has become such a hot The Australian Government is to prepare an says the private sector should be involved in issue,” he said. developing water strategies and infrastructure. issues paper on water resources which will (Source: ABC online) be formulated from reports the Government Ken Matthews made the comments in an is seeking from all states and territories address to the Australian Water Summit New UNESCO European Regional about how they intend to cope with predicted last month. The summit focused on the Centre for Ecohydrology water deficits. theme: ‘Collaborating on our Water Future’. Mr Matthews challenged the widely held view For those interested in the international Announcing the issues paper, Parliamentary that water, like sewage, is a government-only debate over the merits of Ecohydrology secretary to the Prime Minister, Malcolm domain. “We should be trying to build the or as the overall paradigm Turnbull, accused the states and territories private sector into the water sector,” he said. for the framework for understanding of poor water management, especially in Mr Matthews also says Australia has the ecology of rivers and catchments, a new major cities and said the states need to more potential to be a world leader in technology European Centre for Ecohydrology has accountable for urban water supplies. “We’ll that enables sewage to be turned into drinking been announced. The former International be seeking information on the sustainable water. “Australia, more than any country, Centre for Ecology of the Polish Academy yield for each city and the likely changes to must surely be interest in providing science of Sciences will become the new focus for that forecast yield,” he said. accepting of that process,” Mr Matthews said. ecohydrological research under the auspices of UNESCO, with the formal opening (source EnviroInfo Newsletter) (Source: ABC online) ceremony on 31 May in Lodz, Poland. This WA signs National Public Awarenes of development has been coordinated by Prof Water Initiative Water Issues Rising Maciej Zalewski, who has been dominant The Western Australian Government has in the development of the ecohydrological The Water 06 conference in Brisbane heard paradigm (http://www.mcepan.lodz.pl). relented and has signed the National Water that water is now being discussed in a way Initiative under new Premier, Alan Carpenter. that it never has before. Delegates from Ecohydrology is defined as a new approach The signing means that all states have now around the country gathered to discuss issues signed the NWI. The WA Government had in environmental sciences that promotes ranging from water reform to securing future the integration of and ecology previously held out on signing, believing the supplies. Brisbane Water chief executive Jim NWI to have a predominant focus on the Reeves said water is today’s hot topic. “Paul for the sustainable management of water eastern states, particularly the Murray Keating said in the early 1990s that every pet resources. The development of this field Darling Basin. shop parrot was talking about micro economic of research has been supported in a (source EnviroInfo Newsletter) reform,” he said. Today those parrots would series of UNESCO programs since 1988, be talking in husky and hushed tones about starting with the Ecotones Project, then water shortages ... pinning for the days when the Ecohydrology Program under the water supply was predictable in both quality International Hydrology Program.  Prizes and Awards Who is the Prime Minister’s 2006 Australian Museum Environmentalist of the Year Eureka Prizes Water Cluster? This year the Prime Minister’s Award Entries are now open in the 2006 Australian The Water Research Cluster for Environmentalist of the Year is being Museum Eureka Prizes, which consist of 20 coordinates water research across expanded to recognise outstanding awards worth over $200,000 and include the University of Adelaide. The contributions to protect Australia’s important the largest line-up of prizes for research into heritage places. Nominations are now eligible environmental and sustainability issues facing Water Research Cluster has a strong from projects that are involved in protecting Australia. culture of collaboration and support of Australia’s significant natural, historic or teams, and has a particular focus on The 2006 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Indigenous places or environments. You can offers awards in 4 categories: supporting early career researchers. now nominate for the Award if you have been involved in a project that has helped: • Research Leadership Panel • Leadership and Innovation • conserve and protect a significant place A Panel of academics from across the • provide education or raised awareness • Education disciplines and schools of the University of a special place, and • Science Communication. provide strategic direction and management • raised awareness of the issues of The prizes include: of the Cluster. protection and conservation of Australia’s • $10,000 Botanic Gardens Trust Eureka The current members of the Leadership significant heritage and environmental Prize for Biodiversity Research places. Panel are: • $10,000 British Council Eureka Prize Nominations are open to 10 May 2006. for Innovation and Leadership in • Graeme Dandy (Civil and Environmental Science Environmental Engineering) - For information on how to enter go to Champion www.banksiafdn.com • $10,000 CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science • David Chittleborough (Geology and Prime Minister’s Prize for • $10,000 Land & Water Australia Eureka Geophysics) - Champion Science Prize for Water Research • Angus Simpson (Civil and Science Minister’s Prize for Life • $10,000 Sherman Eureka Prize for Environmental Engineering) Scientist of the Year Environmental Research • Marcus Lane (Geography) • $10,000 University of New South Wales • David Jones (Architecture) Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Eureka Prize for Scientific Research. • Peng Bi (Health) Physical Scientist of the Year Be part of the Australian Museum Eureka The Prime Minister’s Prize for Science Prizes by entering yourself or nominating • David Lewis (Chemical Engineering) is awarded for an outstanding specific someone for one of these prestigious prizes. • Mike Geddes (Environmental achievement in any area of science Entries in all prizes close on 5 May 2006. advancing human welfare or benefiting Biology). Online - http://www.amonline.net.au/eureka/ society, and has been awarded previously The Water Research Cluster has specific to such luminaries of Australian science as Banksia Environmental strengths in the following fields of Frank Fenner, Donald Metcalf and Jacques research: Miller. Foundation - DaimlerChrysler Australian Environmental • Integrated Catchment Management The Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year and the Science Research Award • Managing Water in Arid Areas Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year This award has been established to • Managing Wetlands and Rivers are awarded to scientists who are thirty-five recognise and promote Australian years of age or younger, and are designed researchers or research programs that • Sustainable Irrigation to honour excellent research and to highlight have made a significant contribution to • Wastewater Treatment and that our early-stage career scientists are understanding, or resolving, local or global Management producing world-class research. environmental problems. The research being nominated should be: • Water Management in Urban Areas Application details are available from: 1. Fundamental research related to Cluster Coordinator https://sciencegrants.dest.gov.au/ understanding of any process, SciencePrize/Pages/Home.aspx systems or mechanisms of significant Dr Paul Dalby Nominations for these prizes should be sent anthropogenic damage to the to Lynette Kelly in ARI-Research Branch by environment (Physics, , If you would like to advertise or send no later than c.o.b. Monday 15 May. Ecology) material for the Newsletter of the University of Adelaide Water Research 2. Applied research related to production processes, infrastructure, products, or Cluster, please contact Paul Dalby information systems. on 0401 122 204 or The closing date for entries is 10 May 2006. [email protected] Information is available at  http://www.banksiafdn.com/ Water Research Cluster Postgraduate Corner

The Water Research Cluster Postgraduate This working example of a constructed Paul Dalby presented an innovative new Forum on 22 March was based on the theme wetland clearly demonstrates the need for development proposal near Wellington on of ‘the evolving science of constructed ecological input as well as engineering know- the Lower Murray which aims to incorporate wetlands’. The guest speakers were Dr Allin how into the design of constructed wetlands. wetland repair into a housing development. Hodson, Coordinator of the Urrbrae Wetlands The objectives for ongoing management of The housing development would fund Complex, and Dr Paul Dalby, a Director of the wetland also need to be very clear, to rehabilitation of a former dairy swamp to Wellington Wetlands Developments. ensure that these objectives can be met over provide a significant area of wetland habitat time, and that changing perceptions and In a lively session, Allin Hodson described in a region with less than 6% of natural objectives are transparent if management the teething problems of a constructed wetlands remaining. objectives need to be changed. wetland and the difficulties of matching The current design includes proposals for the varying objectives of stakeholders temporary and permanent wetlands, islands, with the evolving dynamics of a working protected areas to encourage turtle breeding, wetland. Key issues revolve around the management of water regimes to reduce major impacts of first flushes each winter the impact of carp, gradual replacement season, with the accumulated debris from of European willows with river red gums the catchment hitting the wetland in the first and other native plants, and protection of pulse of inflowing water. Allin gave a thought- aquatic plants. Incoming residents would provoking presentation inter-weaving the be encouraged to become involved in science, practical management and education monitoring and management of the wetland, potential of the Urrbrae Wetland. Some with extensive walking trails through the examples included the research to isolate area, a conservation zone and bird hides. the source of detergent-like foams during first flushes (saponins generated by native This is an example of a new development eucalypts to repel insect attack, not human approach which seeks to combine economic over-applications of pesticides as originally and environmental benefits in one project. thought), the ineffectiveness of trash racks The next postgraduates forum is scheduled to capture pulverized eucalypt leaves and for 7 June at the Urrbrae Wetlands fine organic sediments from road surfaces, Sediment and vegetation debris collected in Education Centre. and the difficulty of isolating the source of oil trash rack after flow (photo: Allin Hodson) pollutants reaching the wetland. Water Fact File Some quick water facts are again provided for the use of water researchers for inclusion in presentations, talks and papers. What Price Bottled Water can lead to toxic gas discharge if they are Cyclone Larry cools incinerated, or toxic leaching from landfill Consumption of bottled water is increasing which can contaminate water sources. Reef water temperatures by 12% per year, in spite of its excessively Cyclone Larry has had a positive impact on high price compared to tap water. Even in A UNESCO fact sheet compiled for the 2003 the Great Barrier Reef, and may possibly countries where public drinking water meets International Year of FreshWater states that prevent further bleaching of the coral over the safe standards, bottled water sells for up to bottled water as not a sustainable alternative next 12 months, according to scientists from 1,000 times the cost of tap water. The high to tap water and encourages consumers to the University of Queensland. price paid for bottled water means that 90% make responsible choices, such as installing of the cost is the bottle, lid and label. filters on their taps, re-using bottles and Despite speculation in the media that the recycling bottles. cyclone had caused wide-spread damage Annual consumption is 89 billion litres, of the Reef, it appears to have been spared worth $US22 billion, with Western Europe The ‘Bottled Water Blues’ fact sheet warns much damage due to the speed of Larry, consuming 46% and North America 20% about concerns over the quality of bottled and Dr Ove Hoegh-Guldberg says that the and use in the Pacific region is rising by 15% water, with 60-70% of bottled water sold in weather event has in fact cooled ocean annually (UNESCO 2003, 2001 figures). the US being exempt from the FDA bottled temperatures which had soared over the The ‘Hartford Advocate’ newspaper quotes a water standards. City tap water is subject to summer. worldwide value of $US35 billion in 2002. much more rigorous water quality standards. They also recommend home filtration and “Cyclones, as far as a reef is concerned, The environmental impacts include the use of self-bottling as the most environmentally are quite fortunate events because they turn PET plastic bottles made from oil and natural friendly alternative. the water column over and they remove the gas, using 1.5 million tons of non-renewable warmer surface layers,” he said. “It was so • Facts and Figures Bottled Water resources annually (http://www.emagazine. intense and moved so quickly that it crossed International Year of Freshwater 2003. com/). Manufacturing this quantity of PET the Great Barrier Reef in a matter of hours, generates 100 times more toxic emissions htm and for that reason it’s unlikely that it had compared with the manufacture of the same • BottledWaterBlues.com major impacts on reef structure but we still quantity of glass. Transportation of bottled • http://assets.panda.org/downloads/ need to do underwater surveys.” bottled_water.pdf water adds to contributions to greenhouse (Source EnviroInfo Newsletter) gas emissions. Ironically, the process of • http://www.emagazine.com/ disposing of empty plastic water bottles • www.hartfordadvocate.com  Water Jobs & Scholarships

Experience In Indonesia Sought New scholarship scheme for There are also Endeavour research undergraduates to the Netherlands fellowships for India, Pakistan, Malaysia, The International Centre of Excellence in Turkey, Europe, Iraq, Canada and Latin DEST has introduced new scholarships Water Resource Management ( WaRM) America: closing dates for applications for of $5,000 per student for 20 Australian is seeking an academic with experience in these are at different times in July/August. cooperation with Indonesia to participate in a undergraduates to undertake part of their delegation to Indonesia in mid May to discuss studies in the Netherlands under institution- Information on international opportunities potential research and education cooperation to-institution student exchange arrangements. supplied by Dr Alan Collins of Geology in water management. If you meet this criteria These Endeavour Duyfken Student Exchange & Geophysics, School of and and would be interested in participating in the Awards commemorate the 400th anniversary Environmental Sciences. delegation, please contact Paul Dalby (see of the first Dutch contact with the Australian below). continent. For further information, see the Baudinette Travel Scholarship Endeavour Awards website (below). In commemoration of the contributions made International Study Opportunities by Professor Russell Baudinette, Foundation AusAID eligibility Indian Research and Student Links Head of the Department of Environmental Adelaide University is now eligible to Biology, one travel scholarship will be awarded During his recent visit to India, the Prime participate in the Australian Development annually to a talented, full-time PhD student Minister announced $20m in new funding Scholarships (ADS) program, commencing currently enrolled in the School of Earth to support a bilateral research program with in first semester 2007. The University is and Environmental Sciences, University India (the Australia-India Strategic Research permitted to market for prospective students of Adelaide. Preference will be given to Fund), $3.5m for Endeavour India Research for the January 2007 intake as soon as we students undertaking research in whole animal Fellowships (providing top researchers from have advised AusAID of our intention to physiology or ecology. The minimum value of India an opportunity to undertake short-term participate in the new ADS program, but we the scholarship in any year will be $1,000. postgraduate and postdoctoral research in cannot accept these students until after the any field of study in Australia, and Australians The purpose of the scholarship is to provide services agreement has been signed. to do the same in India), and $1.5m for financial support to attend an international Endeavour Executive Awards (providing Endeavour Awards Program of conference to present a paper or poster, professional development opportunities international scholarships with the aim of providing the recipient with the for high achievers in business, industry, opportunity for promotion and exposure education and government from Australia and Information on these awards is available on to international researchers. India at their counterpart organisations). DEST’s new web site: http://endeavour.dest.gov.au/ The closing date for applications is Details are at http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/ 31 May 2006. international_education/p Applications close on 30 June for all the Endeavour student exchange awards. Please email Tim Scroop on [email protected] for an application form.

Water Research Cluster Activities Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON)

Dr. Justin Brookes, a newly appointed lecturer from these observatories will help us to and transferring data in near real-time, will in the University of Adelaide, was recently better understand key issues such as the occur within the next decade and will offer invited to attend the joint workshop of the effects of climate and land-use change on new opportunities in scientific collaboration Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network lake function, the role of episodic events and understanding of lake processes to (GLEON) and the Coral Reef Ecological such as typhoons, cyclones or mixing events improve management. Observation Network (CREON) along with in resetting lake dynamics, carbon cycling, GLEON network is planning to expand its approximately 50 participants from around the cyanobacterial growth and pathogen transport capacity from just observation to modelling world. His visit to the workshop was kindly within lakes. The observatories consist of and this will yield considerable benefits for supported by the CRC for Water Quality and instrumented platforms capable of sensing the GLEON partners. At present it is possible Treatment. The sponsors for GLEON include key limnological variables and moving the to capture data form a GLEON database, the Moore Foundation (Gordon and Betty data in near real-time, often through wireless arrange the data into the appropriate model Moore were the founders of INTEL), the networks, to web-accessible databases. A input format, run the lake metabolism model Australian Research Council, the Queensland common web portal is being developed to and output the results all from a web-based Parallel Supercomputing Foundation, Silicon allow web access of data and information by platform. The development and inclusion of Graphics Inc and Sun Microsystems. researchers and the public. models within GLEON will enable a better The Global Lake Ecological Observatory With cyber-infrastructure provided by prediction of water quality and facilitate Network (GLEON, www.gleon.org) is members of the Pacific Rim Applications and reservoir management. a grassroots network of limnologists, Middleware Assembly (www.pragma-grid. If you are interested in finding out more information technology experts, and net), near real-time data is currently available about GLEON and its potential application in engineers who have a common goal of for lakes in Wisconsin and Taiwan. A global Australia, please contact Justin Brookes on building a scalable, persistent, international network of dozens or even hundreds of [email protected] network of lake ecology observatories. Data automated lake observatories, each collecting

 Water Info Links Water Organisation Links

Useful information on water-related topics The International Centre of Excellence in Land & Water Australia can be found in the electronic sources listed Water Resources Management produces the below. ICE WaRM eNewsletter. You can subscribe Land & Water Australia provide significant at http://www.icewarm.com.au/mailman/ sources of water-related research information listinfo/enews and funding for projects. Their website is EnviroInfo Newsletter www.rivers.gov.au and access to their many EnviroInfo is a fortnightly eNewsletter for Australian Water Association publications can be gained from there. Their professionals in the natural resources and regular publication RipRap presents very Many items of interest can be found on the environment management fields. You can useful overviews of current projects and website of the Australian Water Association obtain a subscription by sending an email to research findings. [email protected] with the words -- visit http://www.awa.asn.au/and view the ‘Subscribe EnviroInfo’ in the subject line. calendar and weekly newsletter there. A recent seminar in Adelaide presented the outcomes of the research program ‘Quantifying Other publications from the same group AWA has a national coordinating committee the Health of Ephemeral Rivers’, which include: under way now, to help in the areas of professional development, training and focused on the Cooper Creek catchment. The • Enviro Jobs tertiary education for water. It’s called WICD research principals were Dr Fran Sheldon of http://www.envirojobs.com.au (Water Industry Capacity Development and Dr Justin Costelloe of • Environment Business - wicked) -- watch the website for the . Druing the http://www.halledit.com.au/publications/ developments. planning stages, University of Adelaide inputs envbiz.htm came from Assoc Prof Keith Walker and Assoc • Land and Water News http://www.halledit.com.au/publications/ lawn.htm Water Funding Calls • EcoVoice environmental newspaper is available online at $1.6 billion Water Smart Australia Program www.ecovoice.com.au The National Water Commission is now calling for proposals from eligible organizations for funding under the Australian Government’s $1.6 billion Water Smart Australia Program. Water CSIRO Australian Research Centre for Smart Australia is a major component of the $2 billion Australian Government Water Fund. It aims Water in Society (ARCWIS) to accelerate the uptake of smart technologies and practices in water use across the country. Interesting research results are published in The program will consider projects that are consistent with and which progress the National the regular newsletter or through the website Water Initiative. These projects would normally be large scale, resulting in on-ground water www.clw.csiro.au/research/arcwis/ management improvements producing significant public benefits. Contributions from parties who The newsletter can be ordered by email at gain significant benefits from a project are expected. [email protected] Guidelines for the general program are available from the Commission’s website and applications close on 16 June 2006. Greening Australia National Water Commission: Email: [email protected] website: http://www.nwc.gov.au A very useful publication from Greening Australia is Riverways: shortcuts to river (source EnviroInfo Newsletter) management information in Australia. This NSW Water Savings Fund - Round 2 Open compilation is based on a survey of river managers about the most useful sources of The second round of the NSW Water Savings Fund aims to stimulate investment in water information, and presents neat single-page savings in the commercial, industrial, government and residential sectors and provides $30 summaries for departments, catchment million a year over the next four years. The key criteria in the second round is for cost-effective management authorities, non-government projects which save water within Water’s area of operations (Sydney, Blue Mountains, organizations, publications and other Illawarra). The priorities in Round 2 are projects which recycle water or implement water savings resources. (Anne Jensen has two spare actions identified by high water users. An extra $10 million has been allocated to the Fund in copies available, otherwise contact Greening 2006 for high water users to implement identified water savings measures. Australia). Applications close on 10 May 2006. News Splash The Guide for Applicants and application form are available on the Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability website http://www.deus.nsw.gov.au/waterandenergysavings News Splash is a regular information email from the Water Research Cluster with a series AusIndustry Cooperative Innovation Program of short articles of a few lines with links to further information. To register, send an email Applications are being sought for round 2 of the Industry Cooperative Innovation Program, a to [email protected] with the words $25M program offering grants ranging from $50,000 to $3M. The program supports business- Register News Splash in the subject heading. to-business cooperation on innovation projects that enhance the productivity, growth and To Unsubscribe, enter the words. Unsubscribe international competitiveness of Australian industries. The program will support projects focused News Splash in the subject heading. Send any on meeting strategic industry needs, with particular focus on those identified through an Action submissions for News Splash to Paul Dalby. Agenda. The Industry Cooperative Innovation Program requires a consortium to be formed from a minimum of three entities to cooperatively conduct a project on behalf of an industry. Closing date: 15 June 2006 - 5pm http://www.ausindustry.gov.au  Water Research Links – Funding Opportunities Conference Diary (primary source EnviroInfo Newsletter) Watch for new funding opportunities on the ARI website http://www.adelaide.edu.au/ari/researchers/grants/fundingopps.html Engineering Education Australia The Grant Opportunities page on the ARI website provides access to all ARC and NHMRC (EEA) Short Courses on opportunities as well as the rural and natural resources R&D corporations. In addition, you can Stormwater Management also access the myriad of other funding opportunities. (Source Control) Australian Research Council Grants for Field Research - 1-2 June 2006, Adelaide (ARC) Linkage – International Earthwatch Details on this course are available from EEA Awards Closing Date: Ongoing - visit http://www.eeaust.com.au or email [email protected] Internal Closing Date: Continuous Purpose: To create an opportunity for public or telephone (03) 9329 7201 involvement in significant research that http://www.adelaide.edu.au/ari/researchers/ addresses scientific, environmental and grants/ARC_LinkIntern.html policy problems and issues. Coast to Coast 2006 Purpose: Build links between research Website: http://www.earthwatch.org/ 22-25 May 2006, centres of excellence in Australia and research/index.html Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Australia overseas by funding extended collaborations Australia’s biennial national coastal Contact Details: Ms Jane Gilmour , Director conference will focus debate across the full Earthwatch Australia Macquarie Bank Foundation range of coastal and marine issues being Internal Closing Date: Apply any time Email: [email protected] considered at national, state, regional and Telephone: (03) 9682 6828 local levels. A special Seachange Panel has http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_ just been announced as part of the program, macquarie/macquarie_in_the_community.htm Tenders and Jobs featuring Professor Ian Lowe of ACF. Areas of interest: education, the arts, health Tenders are posted on the NRMjobs website, Conference website: www.iceaustralia.com/ research and health care, welfare and the which can be found at: coasttocoast2006 environment. http://www.nrmjobs.com.au For more information Middle East Desalinisation NRMjobs advertises jobs and other phone: +61 (3) 9681 6288 or opportunities in the environment, water email: [email protected] Research Center (Oman) and natural resource management field in Internal Closing Date: Apply any time Australia and New Zealand. A separate Catchments to Coast conference service WaterJobs is also now available at http://www.medrc.org 9-14 July, 2006, the same website. Purpose: conduct, support and coordinate Cairns Convention Centre, basic and applied R&D in water desalination Cairns, Queensland and supporting fields, with the overall Hosted by the Society of Wetland Scientists objective to reduce the cost of desalination. 27th International Conference and the Australian Marine Sciences Association Myer Foundation Catchments to Coast is an international Internal Closing Date: Apply any time conference, the major focus of which will be http://www.myerfoundation.org.au the vital role and value of wetlands within the terrestrial and marine environments. Areas of Focus: Arts and Humanities, Importantly, the joint conference provides “Beyond Australia”, Water and Environment, an international platform for showcasing the Philanthropy, Social Justice need for, and benefits of, a multidisciplinary approach to the complex issues associated Sarah Scaife Foundation (USA) with the land-sea interface. Internal Closing Date: Apply any time For more information, go to www.catchments.org.au http://www.scaife.com/sarah.html Murray lilies are currently flowering on the Interest: public policy programs that address sandy rises of the Murray floodplain (photo: major domestic and international issues Anne Jensen)

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