A new University of Queensland (UQ)-led research project will streamline access to the data that underpins decisions about water management in south east Queensland and globally.
The Queensland Government today announced $720,000 towards the $1.5 million Health-e-Waterways information management project, which is also funded by Microsoft Research, UQ and South East Queensland Healthy Waterways Partnership (HWP).
Researchers from UQ’s eResearch Centre, HWP and Microsoft Research (who have experience in Californian water information management systems) will give resource managers a better system for tackling challenges such as water shortages and water health.
Project leader, UQ Professor Jane Hunter, said that the secure system will enhance water and waterways management by integrating the various data sets overseen by an array of government agencies and research organisations.
“We need this system to streamline access to water data and models and to enable more effective water resource management. It will give us the knowledge management and ICT infrastructure to manage appropriately the new multi-billion dollar water infrastructure underway in south east Queensland and elsewhere,” Professor Hunter said.
UQ Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the HWP Scientific Expert Panel, Professor Paul Greenfield, said the project would enable water stakeholders to work together more effectively and will foster integrated management of the whole-of-water cycle.
“The clear goal of this research is sustainable, healthy waterways and healthy ecosystems,” Professor Greenfield said.
“It will be valuable for conservation, industry and community organisations as well as researchers and educators.
“The initial advantages will be for south east Queensland, but subsequently other regions in Australia and internationally will have access to customised services resulting from this project.”
HWP Project Director Ms Di Tarte said the initiative draws on the collaborative programs already underway in south east Queensland.
“It will be a significant advance on our current information systems as it will be designed so that good information underpins the management investments by Healthy Waterways partners,” Ms Tarte said.
HWP Science Coordinator Dr Eva Abal, who will work with Professor Hunter, said the project will enhance data accessibility for the annual HWP Ecosystem Health Report Card, which reflects how the region is tracking and protecting waterways’ health.
John Warren, University Relations Manager, Microsoft Research Asia, said Queensland has established itself as a leading centre of research and attracted Microsoft’s investment for the quality of its academic institutions and researchers.
“One of our priorities is to establish strong links with universities across the Asia Pacific region, whereby we can combine the strengths of our research capabilities and resources with those of outstanding universities like UQ,” he said.
“Professor Hunter’s water management research has the potential to benefit not only Australia but countries throughout the region that, through the increasing pressures of population growth, urbanisation and climate change, would benefit from more sophisticated approaches to water management,” Mr Warren said.
Microsoft Research’s involvement is a spin-off of a memorandum of understanding between the Queensland and Washington State Governments, signed in 2006. Health-e-Waterways also includes relationships with the International Water Centre, the Digital Yellow River Project in China and groups in California, Texas and Florida.
The Queensland Government’s funding is from the National and International Research Alliances Program.
Media: Professor Jane Hunter, 07- 3365 1092 Dr Eva Abal, 07- 3403 6135 Fiona Kennedy (UQ) 3365 1384/0413 380 012
