Murray–Darling Water and Environment Research Program

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The Murray–Darling Water and Environment Research Program is a 4-year, $20 million Australian Government initiative to strengthen scientific knowledge of the Murray–Darling Basin through generating new knowledge, innovation and tools across the themes of:
Commonwealth partners (Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, and Murray–Darling Basin Authority) will collaborate with a research consortium to deliver research that will benefit the Basin and its communities for years to come.
The overarching MD–WERP Research Consortium comprises two consortia:
- CSIRO have established a consortium with Deakin University, eWater and Alluvium to deliver research on the 2 themes of climate change and hydrology.
- La Trobe University established a consortium with Griffith University, Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations, Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations and IDEEA Group. They are delivering research on environmental outcomes, and social, economic and cultural outcomes.
In 2021 researchers, water policy and water managers, along with First Nations, co-designed the research program to help ensure the research meets the needs of the end users.
MD-WERP also assists the Australian Government in addressing Basin Plan objectives and responding to emerging issues by investing in short-term, tactical projects.
Any enquiries can be sent to MDWERP@mdba.gov.au.
Find out more
Find out more information in the Document Library.
The Research Prospectus provides the program overview, context for the four themes and the research questions, which have been further refined during the co-design process.
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