Waterways studies across the north of Australia will be boosted by a further injection of $5 million in federal funding.
Prime Minister John Howard announced on Friday (September 22) that the Tropical and Coastal River Knowledge (TRACK) research hub – a partnership between Charles Darwin University, Griffith University, the University of WA and other agencies – would receive the additional $5 million funding from the National Water Commission, through its Raising National Water Standards program.
TRACK has already received $11 million in funding from the Australian Government.
The TRACK research project will harness the expertise of more than 50 leading tropical river and coastal researchers and managers from agencies across Australia to examine the sustainability of rivers and catchments from Cape York to Broome.
The research hub will also investigate environmental impacts of proposed developments and identify opportunities to develop sustainable enterprises in the region.
Professor Stephen Garnett, the Chair of Tropical Knowledge at Charles Darwin University, said the additional funding would greatly strengthen the research team’s efforts across a number of disciplines.
“TRACK’s bid for the research project was built around indigenous engagement, so there will be more opportunities for Indigenous employment and collaboration. It will also mean opportunities for more post-doctoral and graduate research projects.”