1. From the Chief Executive Officer
On 13 March 2009, the then Minister for Climate Change, the Hon Senator Penny Wong, announced $1 million in funding to help establish the Peter Cullen Water and Environment Trust. The funding was to continue Peter’s legacy as an inspiring and influential leader in the important debate about water. This included leadership skills in communication (speaking for the rivers with clarity and credibility), promoting informed exchange and debate and contributing to improved water management. Next year we will celebrate 15 years since the announcement, with over 250 graduates from the Trust’s transformative leadership programs continuing Peter’s legacy. But today, the challenge is to contribute to what we want for Australia’s reform agenda.
In March this year, and with thanks to our Host Partner the University of Canberra, we celebrated another milestone in moving from Building 15 to refurbished offices within the Institute for Applied Ecology in Building 3 as part of the agreement to extend the much-valued support to 2027. However, sadly, we leave behind Peter’s old office in Building 15, a place with so many stories and memories for many. If you have a story about Peter or your time in Building 15 we would love to hear from you.
The theme of this edition of Bridging is biodiversity, showcasing the incredible influence of the science from our Friends and Fellows. Last December, the Hon Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, played a lead role at the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, Canada, which agreed to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030 (30 by 30) and the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This milestone achievement will be followed with much policy and reform work by all governments in establishing the proposed federal environmental protection agency and bring biodiversity reporting into the mainstream for regulators, business and the community.
The Friends and Fellows of Trust were very active at the UN 2023 Water Conference in March at the UN Headquarters in New York. The last UN conference on freshwater was back in 1977. A long time between drinks. The Conference focus was the midterm report card on the UN Decade for Action on Water and Sanitation (2018-2028), which highlighted the critical political support and momentum needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6.
The Australian contingent included Friends and Fellows Tony Slatyer, Joanne Townsend, Katherine Daniell, Bradley Moggridge, Madeleine Hartley; Indigenous leaders Phil Duncan and Ricky Archer; Zoe Talsma from the Australian Water Partnership; Matt Dadswell and Lou-Ellen Martin from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; and James Morschel from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Hon Lauren Moss, Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security in the Northern Territory, presented Australia’s statement and spoke of the country’s First Nations peoples who have more than 65,000 years of experience in managing finite resources in a changing climate. They have a proud history as custodians of water in Australia, yet their knowledge and experience as long-term water stewards has not been sufficiently recognized or valued in this country. The Australian contingent added voice to the value of traditional knowledge and First Nations perspectives in water management.
Australia supported the call for the appointment of a United Nations Special Envoy for Water to lead the Organization’s work in achieving Global Goal 6.
We have much work in Australia to ensure no one is left behind in access to safe water and sanitation.
I hope you enjoy Bridging Edition #52.
2. In This Issue: Biodiversity
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
The new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted at COP-15 in December 2022. The support framework sets the global biodiversity action agenda for the next decade and has significant implications for water management.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water outlines the Framework, the action agenda, targets and broad implications for Australia.
Australian Species Back From the Brink
Australia’s Biodiversity Council is committed to solving Australia’s biodiversity crisis. Recent research, published in Biological Conservation and shared via The Conversation, has identified 15 Australian mammals, eight birds, four frogs, one reptile and one fish have recovered sufficiently to no longer meet the criteria for listing as threatened.
Read the paper in Science Direct
Taking Biodiversity from Science to Action
From Dr Lisa Ehrenfried (2014) and Ruth McDonnell (2021)
Many of you probably know that a key outcome from the recent COP15 was to protect 30% of the planet by 2030. But you may not be aware that they also included – for the first time! that this expectation should be borne by large corporations as well as countries. Now many companies are wondering how they can measure biodiversity. What their existing performance is, and what they can do about it. Some are even exploring what it would mean to be nature positive.
Yarra Valley Water has been exploring these questions and accordingly took the opportunity to facilitate a seminar on this topic in February 2023. The headline speakers included Pavan Sukhdev – an international thought leader on sustainability; Professor Sarah Bekessy – who teaches environmental studies and sustainability at RMIT University; and Carl Obst, whose experience includes being the lead author and editor of the United Nation’s System of Environmental-Economic Accounting – the international statistical standard for accounting for natural capital.
ACCESS THE PRESENTATIONS via request to Lisa Ehrenfried Lisa.Ehrenfried@yvw.com.au
3. On Leadership
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS 2023
From Dr Bek Christensen, PCT Programs Director
The first quarter of the year has flown by, with a number of new and continuing PCT Programs activities.
2023 Peter Cullen Leadership Program (Women) – applications open
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN for the 2023 Peter Cullen Trust Leadership Program (Women).
Formerly the ‘PCT Women in Water Leadership Program’, this program will now be delivered under the single banner of ‘Peter Cullen Trust Leadership Program’, ensuring consistency of content and experience across all delivery platforms. The change is in name only, with all program content and structure retained: PCT Leadership Programs will continue to set the standard for leadership in our sector, fostering courageous leaders who will drive the sustainable and equitable management of Australia’s waterways and natural environments.
The Program is designed to have transformational, lasting impact, and significantly change the clarity, confidence, shared vision and strategic capability of each participant. Upon graduation, participants enter the PCT Fellows Network – now over 240 people – offering Fellows opportunities for ongoing engagement and development. The 2023 Peter Cullen Trust Leadership Program (Women) will be held (for the first time, thank you for the incredible support from our program partner Pinnacle Charitable Foundation) in Brisbane across two sessions in September and November 2023.
We invite our readers to reach out to individuals you think may be interested in applying and to speak with them about the Program. Recently refreshed Information for Applicants and Information for Sponsors is available on the Trust’s website: https://www.petercullentrust.org.au/pct-leadership-program/
Applications close on 30 April 2023.
One Basin CRC
In February, we delivered a tailored leadership program for leaders from across the new One Basin CRC, which is focused on productive, resilient, and sustainable Irrigation Regions. Across its scheduled 10 years of operation, the CRC is in a unique position to deliver solutions for management of the Murray-Darling Basin. The PCT is one of the 85+ partners in the CRC, and we’re pleased that the CRC chose to invest in its leadership from the outset.
Our week together was focused on developing leadership mindsets and capabilities, supporting team formation, and setting a leadership vision for the CRC. As you’d expect, we brought our usual experiential approach, grounded in awareness, curiosity, and accountability. I extend my thanks to the CRC team for diving in wholeheartedly, and I look forward to our continued work together throughout the life of the CRC.
WSAA Young Utility Leaders’ Program
I was then lucky enough to travel to Whadjuk Nyoongar Country (Perth) as part of PCT’s continuing partnership with WSAA’s Young Utility Leader’s Program. As well as delivering a workshop for the program, it was a great opportunity to connect with some of PCT’s Perth-based community, including several Fellows. It’s always a treat for me to meet new faces and reconnect with familiar ones, and to hear your stories of impact from your experience with PCT.
Continuing the partnership theme, I also attended the Australian Water Partnership’s (AWP) Annual Partner’s Workshop on Kaurna Country (Adelaide). As a relative newcomer to AWP, I valued the opportunity to learn more about the depth and breadth of their work, and to start considering the ways that the PCT community, our experience, and our knowledge could be used to support AWP. A highlight of this experience was the time we spent with Kaurna leaders to listen, learn, and be challenged. It was also a pleasant surprise to meet many Fellows at this gathering, along with ‘future Fellows’ – participants on this year’s Science to Policy Leadership Program.
2023 Science to Policy (S2P) Leadership Program
We have just delivered Session 1 for the 2023 Science to Policy Leadership Program, with a group of 17 participants from almost all states and territories, and a range of organisations including NRM bodies, utilities, government agencies, private industry, and irrigation councils. The participants are now back home and straight into their group project work.
We look forward to introducing them to you as our newest Fellows at their program graduation in May.
2023 NATIONAL WATER REFORM CHALLENGE
Sparked by Leith Boully’s 2022 Graduation Address, the Fellows Network has enthusiastically embraced the National Water Reform Challenge. In summary the Fellows engagement to date has included:
- 12-person Fellows Organising Committee
- Lead facilitation of the process – Dr Kath Broderick (2014)
- 70+ registrations (and 50+ attendees) at the 31 January NWR Workshop
- Individual Facilitation and write up of six themes covered in the Workshop
- Survey
- PD Day Breakfast Session in Canberra on 25 May to discuss the six themes; representatives of DCCEEW invited to participate in this Nationally significant conversation, under Chatham House Rule
AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS
Fellows and Friends of the PCT are widely acknowledged for their individual achievements and contributions on many fronts, including:
Tony Slatyer (Friend of the Trust) – ACT Australian Water Association Water Professional of the Year
By Nic Morgan (2018)
The Peter Cullen Trust congratulates Tony Slatyer (Friend of the Trust) who recently won the ACT Australian Water Association Water Professional of the Year award. This award honours individuals who have displayed passion and commitment, while inspiring positive change, over the last 5 years working in water. He will now compete for the national award, which will be announced in May.
Anthony (Tony) Slatyer is a highly respected, influential and engaged water sector leader. Tony plays a significant role at a global and national level in achieving advancements in sustainable water management and is extensively involved as a volunteer across a wide range of committees, groups and initiatives. In 2022 Tony shared his experiences as part of the Peter Cullen Trust ‘Lunch with a Leader’ series, and is generously joining us again in a forthcoming National Webinar, discussing his experience at UN 2023.
Since retiring from the Public Service in 2017 Tony remains highly active in the water sector and continues to positively impact the sector and community more generally. Tony continues to share his knowledge and expertise through mentoring and supporting the development of water sector leaders, including AWA YWPs.
Through various roles, including as special adviser to the then Australian Prime Minister and advisor to the WMO, and through extensive volunteer work, Tony plays a significant role at a global and national level in achieving advancements in sustainable water management and advocating for the critical role of the water sector in achieving the Paris Agreement goals. Tony has a strong belief that governments need to manage water as a central enabling sector to achieve the full range of outcomes of importance to society.
Tony is particularly passionate about the Water Policy Group. Tony co-founded and convenes the multi-country group, a not-for-profit, volunteer group made up of international water sector experts who have been decision makers and trusted advisers within governments and international bodies handling complex water policy and strategy. They advise governments and influencers on water policy options and implementation strategies. Members of the group have the common goal that their knowledge, networks and experience can help achieve the sustainable development of water resources.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS
Vale, the Hon John Kerin, AO, Friend of the Trust
PCT has lost a wonderful Friend of the Trust with the passing of the Hon John Kerin AO on 29 March 2023. John was a visionary, passionate and authentic leader who dedicated his political career, and his life after retirement from Federal Parliament, to transforming Australia’s agriculture sector and the management of water and the environment through investment in science and evidence based policy.
John was invited to be one of the inaugural ‘Friends of the Peter Cullen Trust’ in 2010, and was a great advocate of the work of the Trust in supporting leadership in water and the environment and debate on national water issues . In his autobiography John noted that the “CRC for Freshwater Ecology, which the late Professor Peter Cullen was so associated with as CEO, was pivotal in placing water on the national agenda”. John’s legacies are many. His autobiography in 1981 “The way I saw it; the way it was. The making of national agricultural and natural resource management policy” is an insightful read into the background to water and environmental reform during his time in Cabinet.
Reflecting on the establishment of Landcare Australia Ltd, John writes that “Every good idea has a thousand fathers; Landcare is no exception. I only get edgy when various people and organisations claim unique ownership of the creation of Landcare. I do not claim credit in any way and there are many others deserving of more”. Amongst his many contributions after he left parliament John went on to Chair the Crawford Fund Board from 2010 to 2017 and remained an active and highly valued Friend of the Trust.
Our sincere condolences to John’s family and many friends.
4. Network News and Views
Fellows Committee
The Fellows Committee and the associated City Leads group have been busy in the early part of this year; read on for more on who they are and what they’re up to:
Have you met the crew? The current membership of the FC is:
- Andrew O’Neill (Qld – 2017)
- Catherine Atkinson (ACT – 2022)
- Deborah Bower (NSW – 2019)
- Jackie Luethi (ACT – 2022)
- Kylie Climie (NT – 2022)
- Matthew Fullerton (Qld – 2013)
- Monique White (SA – 2015)
- Paul Frazier (NSW – 2012)
- Simon Treadwell (Vic – 2011)
- Simone Stewart (SA – 2021)
- Trent Wallis (Vic – 2017)
- Vanessa Moscovis (WA – 2022)
The Committee has met monthly through the year to date – 24 January, 23 February and 30 March. Meetings are scheduled on the last Thursday of each month for the remainder of 2023, with an in person strategic planning meeting in Canberra on 24 May, as part of Graduation Week events.
City Leads
The City Leads are the Fellows Network glue in our major cities, delivering 2-3 gatherings in each location each year. They are:
- Adelaide – Dan Mollison (2022)/ Stuart Richardson (2010)
- Brisbane – Matthew Fullerton (2013)
- Canberra – Josh Hindson (2018)
- Melbourne – Alanna Wright (2021)/Karen White (2021)
- Perth – Stacey Hamilton (2018)
- Sydney – Kathryn Silvester (2022)/Lisa Hamilton (2022)
We welcome Lisa Hamilton to the joint Sydney City Lead role, supporting Kathryn Silvester; and Josh Hindson, replacing Sean Kelly, in Canberra.
Also in this issue, we report on Lunch with a Leader events in Melbourne and Darwin (our first in that fair city).
The next Lunch with a Leader is with Julia Spicer, OAM, in Brisbane on 20 April – for details and to register click HERE.
LUNCH WITH A LEADER SERIES
Melbourne Lunch with a Leader – Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo, Managing Director, Melbourne Water
By Ruth McDonnell (2021); photograph by Karen White (2021)
A capacity-crowd of Fellows got together on the 3rd of February for an intimate chat with the esteemed Managing Director of Melbourne Water Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo. We met on the 6th floor of Melbourne Water’s offices in the Docklands with a view over the city and the occasional interruption from rumbling freight trains down below.
We listened intently to Nerina’s leadership journey from the start of her engineering career as the only female working on a remote oil rig, to the corporate world, to finding her calling in local Council and rising in the ranks before moving to the world of water.
Nerina has a strong focus on community and people. It was apparent that her curiosity and deep listening have allowed her to approach major challenges with respect and trust from her people.
We enjoyed hearing her thoughts on communicating in a way that resonates, and the impact of “coining a phrase”. Some of us have experienced first-hand that when a phrase catches on, the resulting ripple effect can make lasting change. A couple of key phrases that stuck with me were:
- Effective leadership can be likened to climbing Mount Fuji and making sure we don’t go off map
- As a leader it’s better to be a snorkeler than a scuba diver; you can dive deep but not for long – you need to be swimming on the surface most of the time
Her communication certainly resonated with us. We thoroughly enjoyed the discussion and her openness to challenging questions. We could have happily continued for another few hours.
Big thanks to our inspiring guest Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo for her generosity in sharing her time and experiences so openly with us. Thanks also to our fabulous Fellows Karen and Alanna for hosting the event and bringing us all together.
Darwin’s First Lunch with a Leader – Jo Townsend, CEO, Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security
By Clare Taylor (2010)
All Darwin fellows – Kylie Climie (2022), Mardi Miles (2017), Matt Salmon (2012) and Clare Taylor (2010) – as well as Trust CEO Darryl Day and Paul Frazier (2012), participated in the first ever Darwin ‘Lunch with a Leader’ event.
A visit from Paul and a little magic from Darryl and Lesley Ryall, locked in March 2nd at a great Asian seafood venue. Our guest speaker was Jo Townsend, CEO of the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security.
Jo shared her reflections on her leadership journey, including a risky leap from a leadership role in social services to one in water in order to work for someone she respected, and the benefits she’s seen from workplace collaboration rather than competition. She highlighted the importance of recognising the pressure we put on ourselves, the support available from colleagues who can be frank, and knowing when it’s time to leave a role.
The discussion following was thoughtful and intimate. We finished up by brainstorming ideas for boosting the number of northern fellows and for future catch ups – watch this space!
Other Fellows Committee Initiatives
- Two Fellows Professional Development Days to support the Trust’s Graduation Weeks in May and November. We look forward to seeing many of you in Canberra in May – registrations are open HERE
- A Networking Platform for testing in the next few months, with a view to deployment to all Fellows in the second half of the year.
Where are they now?
Fellows move about a good deal; here are some career updates:
Dr Emma Carmody (2013)
In 2022, Professor Will Glamore and Dr Emma Carmody (PCT Class of 2013) and other experts co-founded a for-purpose business called Restore Blue. Restore Blue’s objective is to restore lost blue carbon wetlands (mangroves, saltmarsh, sea grasses) at scale in Australia and internationally. Will and Emma are pleased to report that the restoration business is progressing well.
Emma is also pleased to announce that she and Will have recently co-founded a sister company, Restore Blue Advisory, which is a multidisciplinary advisory service covering law, policy, science and engineering (with other disciplines to follow soon).
This combination of expertise allows Restore Blue Advisory to provide clients with holistic advice about our waterways, wetlands, catchments, coastal systems and water-dependent biodiversity.
This includes specialist advice on evidence-based legal and policy settings, nature markets, on-ground ecosystem restoration, ESG reporting, nature-related risk assessment and disclosure, climate change assessments, water quality, and blue engineering projects (amongst other matters). Please reach out to Emma if you’d like to discuss any possible collaborations – advisory@restoreblue.org.
Where are you now?
Help us to stay connected. Have you had a career change recently?
This is an invitation for all Fellows to update us on your current roles, titles, preferred emails, contact details etc. Please share your details with Lesley Ryall, Fellows Network Coordinator, at lesley@petercullentrust.com.au.
5. Diary Dates
PCT EVENTS
- 20 April – Brisbane Lunch with a Leader, Julia Spicer, OAM – REGISTER HERE
- 24 May – 2021 S2P 12-month RRR; Fellows Committee Strategic Planning – Canberra
- 25 May – 2023 S2P Graduation; Fellows PD Day – Canberra
- 26 May – Fellows Breakfast; PCT Board Meeting – Canberra
- For all Graduation Week events, REGISTER HERE
PCT PROGRAMS
- 9 May – WSAA Workshop 3, Sydney
- 21-25 May – 2023 Science to Policy Session 2, Canberra
- 3-8 September – 2023 Leadership Program (Women) – Session 1, Queeensland
- 12-17 November – 2023 Leadership Program (Women) – Session 2, Queeensland
- Applications are open for the 2023 Leadership Program (Women) – APPLY HERE
PCT GOVERNANCE
- 10 May – PCT Audit and Finance Committee Meeting
- 26 May – PCT Board Meeting
- 2 August – PCT Audit and Finance Committee Meeting
- 17 August – PCT Board Meeting
GLOBAL
- 22 April – International Mother Earth Day
- 22 May – International Day for Biological Diversity
- 5 June – World Environment Day
- 8 June – World Oceans Day
CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS
Ozwater’23 – 10-12 May, Sydney
The biggest water conference and exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere, Ozwater is an annual three-day line up of international and national speakers, scientific and technical papers, case studies, workshops, panel sessions and poster presentations, supported by 200+ exhibitors.
21st International Symposium on Health-Related Water Microbiology – 4-9 June, Darwin
For the first time, Australia will host the International Water Association’s Symposium on Health-Related Water Microbiology from 4 – 9 June 2023, in Darwin. The Theme is “Water Safety for All — reflections and emerging concerns.” The Symposium, hosted by Water Research Australia (WaterRA), will cover all aspects of health-related water microbiology across the whole water cycle, applied and basic research on water, micro-organisms and impacts on human health.
Workshops on Sunday 4 June include:
- Climate Change Impacts on Water Quality & Health
- Genetic faecal pollution diagnostics: from science to practice
- Anti-microbial resistance – the next big challenge
- Evidence based approaches for boiled water advisories – using good science for the best community outcomes
- Wastewater surveillance workshop
- Introduction into microbial risk analysis for groundwater
On 9 June, the World Health Organisation will present two workshops:
- Water Safety Plan Workshop “Safe and sustainable management of drinking-water supplies to protect public health, including in the context of small water supplies”
- WASH and vector borne diseases (VBD) “Revitalizing WASH responses for VBD in light of new global challenges
Registrations are open at WaterMicro23
River Reflections – 14-15 June, Narrabri
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority hosts an annual water conference called River Reflections. This year it will be held in Narrabri, NSW on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 June 2023.
6. Across the Sector
Community Voices – An Australian Perspective on Community and Stakeholder Engagement
Authors – Hon Karlene Maywald, Leith Boully, Darryl Day and Michelle Campbell (2021)
Commissioned by the Australian Water Partnership, Community Voices draws on the extensive experiences and interactions Leith and Karlene had during the development of the Murray Darling Basin plan. It provides an Australian perspective on the complexity and challenges of water reform from a community perspective. It represents an important contribution to the Australian water reform journey in addition to the technical and policy reform experiences.
Launched on 14 February 2023, the publication is available for download by the PCT network HERE.
Interested, but don’t have time to read a long report? Try the summary document HERE.
Listening to National Water Leaders – a survey by the Water Policy Group
Friends of the Trust, Tony Slatyer and Jane Doolan, are key members of the Water Policy Group, an international cohort of water sector experts who have been decision makers and trusted advisors within governments and international bodies handling complex water policy and strategy.
As a contribution to the United Nations 2023 Water Conference (New York, 22-24 March), the Water Policy Group released their latest survey – “Listening to National Water Leaders” – and the results provide thought-provoking insights about how the UN and other international processes can help achieve water outcomes at the country level.
In addition, the WPG has also proposed a new approach to help policy-makers solve the most sensitive water management issues. “Global Scaffolding for Water Policy” is intended to assist governments to work through difficult water management decisions using global principles and guidance agreed through an inclusive, inter-government and multi-stakeholder process. It proposes a “safe working space” for policy makers seeking to solve the most sensitive issues in water resources management.
7. Interesting Stuff
Australian Deserts
From Steve Morton, Friend of the Trust
The Australian Outback is vast, ancient and a place of boom-and-bust climate extremes. It is tough, wild and beautiful with an ecological framework unfamiliar to most urban Australians.
In his award-winning book, Australian Deserts: Ecology and Landscapes, Friend of the Trust and story-teller par excellence, Dr Steve Morton, shares his lifetime experience of the Outback, through science, understanding and a deep engagement with our arid heart.
Dr Steve Morton’s book, Australian Deserts: Ecology and Landscapes, was published in 2022. The book is about the vast sweep of the Outback, an expanse making up three-quarters of the continent. It aims to explain in plain language how arid Australia works ecologically, why the place looks and feels like it does. It distils the work of numerous colleagues and adds Steve’s own experience of the Outback, written as a narrative while being embedded in science.
Unpredictable rainfall and paucity of soil nutrients underpin the nature of desert ecosystems. The book shows how these forces ramify in various ways through the plant world and the ecosystems that they form; and it outlines how the dominant animals of the deserts succeed in the face of aridity, uncertainty and infertility. The spinifex grassland of the Western Deserts provides an example. Long unburned spinifex is dense, spiky and abundant, covering up to 80% of the surface. Here, on the least fertile soils of any in Australia, the spinifex is indigestible, its foliage long-lived and almost never consumed by herbivores, and so through decades it continues accruing biomass, an accumulation that is eventually and inevitably consumed by fire. The primary consumers of spinifex – or, rather, its detritus – are abundant termites, a resource that in turn has led to development of the world’s richest lizard assemblages. Spinifex is an ultimate expression of the infertile Australian environment.
Arid Australia’s rainfall from year to year is the most variable of any part of the globe, and so its ecosystems experience long dry spells and occasional flooding rains. When the big rains come, fuelled mostly by La Niña, they recharge the vast soil water stores that sustain perennial vegetation, and likewise fill the dry riverbeds and lakes, setting in train the boom-and-bust dynamics of the Lake Eyre Basin. A chapter of the book is devoted to the great array of aquatic systems occurring throughout the inland.
Australian Deserts celebrates a region that often mystifies urban Australians. In doing so, it speaks not only of ecology but also of a place of toughness and beauty, especially through liberal use of Mike Gillam’s delightful photographs. Much of the understanding reflected in it stems from research into natural resource management, but such issues are left aside in favour of celebrating a wild and wonderful place.
Australian Deserts: Ecology and Landscapes was awarded the Whitley Medal for 2022, named in honour of Gilbert Whitley, an eminent former Curator at the Australian Museum. It is available through CSIRO Publishing at https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/7568/.
Development of a national 7-day ensemble streamflow forecasting service for Australia
From Dr Paul Feikema (2017)
Published in Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 26, 4801–4821, 2022.
This study presents development of an operational 7 day ensemble streamflow forecasting service for Australia to meet the growing needs of users, primarily water and river managers, for probabilistic forecasts to support their decision making. We test modelling methodology for 100 catchments to learn the characteristics of different rainfall forecasts, the effect of statistical processing on streamflow forecasts, the optimal ensemble size, and parameters for calculating forecast skill. The service, which has been operational since 2019, provides daily updates of graphical and tabular products of ensemble streamflow forecasts along with performance information, at hourly intervals for up to 7 days ahead.
Regional significance of historical trends and step changes in Australian streamflow
From Dr Paul Feikema (2017)
Published in Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 27, 229–254, 2023.
The Hydrologic Reference Stations is a network of 467 high-quality streamflow gauging stations across Australia developed and maintained by the Bureau of Meteorology. The main objectives of the service are to observe and detect climate-driven changes in observed streamflow and to provide a quality-controlled dataset for research. We investigated trends and step changes in streamflow across Australia. Most regions showed statistically significant decreasing trends with respect to annual total and all four seasons. Most step changes occurred during 1970–1999. In the south-eastern part of Australia, the majority of these step changes occurred in the 1990s.
Reframing governance possibilities for urban biodiversity conservation through systemic co-inquiry
Authors: Ray Ison (Friend of the Trust), Laura Mumaw, Helen Corney, Nadine Gaskell, Irene Kelly
Published in Environmental Policy & Governance, 2023
In cities, biodiversity conservation faces short-term approaches, with limited connection between biodiversity and community well-being rather than on their interconnection. Many believe that urban citizenry lack the requisite ethic or skills for conservation action or biodiversity governance.
This paper describes a systemic co-inquiry in Victoria, conducted by citizen and agency practitioners alongside policy developers and academic researchers.
Early impactful outcomes were (1) start-up funding for a network to forge collaborations between community and local government actors that engage urban residents in supporting indigenous biodiversity in their gardens, and (2) empowered co-inquiry members driving the network’s development.
There is now a burgeoning network of municipally-based nature stewardship collaborations that are nurturing local human–nature relations facilitated by the purpose-created Gardens for Wildlife Victoria.
Dramaturgies for re-imagining Murray-Darling Basin governing
Authors: Raymond L. Ison (Friend of the Trust), Naomi Rubenstein, Maddie R. Shelton & Philip J. Wallis
Published in Australasian Journal of Water Resources, 2023
Effective governing of the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) along an unfolding, viable trajectory within a human-created Anthropocene-world seems more elusive than ever. In this paper a research and praxis agenda for dramaturgy as an initiative that seeks ‘effective’ water governance in the MDB is proposed.
A dramaturge is someone, group, body or process who writes/adapts a play, brings forth a particular type of performance set in an ever-changing audience/context.
Dramaturges engage in praxis. Two exemplar dramaturgies, developed through ex poste and ex ante analyses, are outlined. Each can be refined or consolidated in an on-going deliberative inquiry-process that generates social learning and effects concerted action for future MDB governance.
We commend this work to those designing and deciding upon a new, revitalised, NWC (National Water Commission).
Beyond COVID: reframing the global problematique with STiP (systems thinking in practice)
From Ison, R.L. (Friend of the Trust)
Published in Journal of Systems Science and Systems Engineering (JSSSE) 2023
In 1970 the French term ‘problematique’ was coined to refer to a set of 49 interrelated global problems; the classic description of wicked and tame problems was published soon after, yet little progress has been made towards answering the question: what purposeful action will aid human flourishing, create and sustain a viable space for humanity, in our ongoing co-evolution with the Anthropocene-Biosphere?
A case for innovation in our ways of knowing and doing is made based on arguments that our social world is constrained by: (i) explanations we accept that are no longer relevant to our circumstances; (ii) outdated historical institutions (in the institutional economics sense) that contribute as social technologies to a broader human created and ungoverned technosphere; (iii) inadequate theory-informed practices, or praxis, and (iv) governance-systems no longer adequate for purpose (as manifest in the stand-off between the Greens and Labor regarding no future investment in coal and gas).
Protecting Springs in the Southwest Great Artesian Basin
From Simone Stewart (2021)
Simone Stewart (2021) was recently a co-author on a chapter in the book Threats to Springs in a Changing World: Science and Policies for Protection. The book includes a number of case studies which document the declining quality and quantity of springs around the world and efforts to preserve, protect and restore them.
Simone co-authored the chapter titled Protecting Springs in the Southwest Great Artesian Basin, Australia having previously authored the Far North Prescribed Wells Area Water Allocation Plan.
The chapter describes protection measures in place for the Great Artesian Basin Springs in South Australia. The abstract is provided below, and please contact Simone if you would like a copy of the chapter in its entirety – simone.stewart@sa.gov.au.
The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) springs are unique environments of great ecological and cultural value, while the supporting groundwater is also an important economic resource. A high concentration of springs occurs within the far north of South Australia (SA). Historically, management and protection of springs, community, and industry needs have not necessarily aligned; water extraction led to decline and extinction of many springs. Concerns over these impacts led to significant research to understand hydrogeological and environmental processes associated with the springs, enabling the development of management measures and tools. This chapter demonstrates the use of evidence-based policies to manage ongoing threats to GAB spring environments.
The primary policy and management tool implemented in SA to mitigate spring impacts is the legal declaration of the Far North Prescribed Wells Area (FNPWA), under which groundwater is monitored and regulated via the FNPWA Water Allocation Plan (FNWAP). This is designed to promote integrated and sustainable management of water resources, through licensing of groundwater extractions, ensuring judicious usage, and safeguarding pressures near springs.
The GAB Springs Adaptive Management Plan (GABSAMP) is a recent, nonlegal, cross-jurisdictional initiative that collates current evidence on spring condition and threats and proposes objective methods to assess and manage identified risks. The GABSAMP also recommends a national interactive spring database and a coordinated, GAB-wide monitoring program. The FNWAP and the GABSAMP collectively promote evidence-based management actions that will maintain sufficient artesian pressure to sustain spring flows and encourage sensitive land use practices in and around springs.
A river basin scale spatial model to advance understanding of riverine tree response to hydrological management
Authors: Doody TM (2015), Gao S, Vervoort W, Pritchard JL, Davies MJ, Nolan M, Nagler P.
Published in Journal of Environmental Management, 332, 2023
A method and the related available data, is presented to allow scaling of floodplain tree water use across the Murray-Darling Basin, providing monthly data related to tree water stress from 2000-current with 30m pixel resolution.
Sustainable management of groundwater extraction: An Australian perspective on current challenges
Authors: Cook PG, Shanafield M, Anderson MS, Bourke S, Cartwright I, Cleverly J, Currell M, Doody TM (2015) Hofmann H, Hugmann H, Irvine D, Jakeman A, McKay J, Nelson R, Werner A.
Published Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies V44, 2022
This manuscript comprehensively presents the key challenges facing management of groundwater resources in Australia.
Fine scale 20-year timeseries forest evapotranspiration for the Lower Limestone Coast
Authors: Doody TM (2015), Benyon RG, Gao S.
Published in Hydrological Processes, 2023
Long-term plantation tree water use data for the Limestone Coast in South Australia is presented, detailing methods and location of freely available spatial layers, to inform groundwater management in the region.
Catchment Health Indicator Program 2022 – Waterwatch report
Launched on 22 March 2023 (World Water Day) by ACT Minister for Water, Shane Rattenbury, the Waterwatch publication, “Catchment Health Indicator Program” is the culmination of 2000 water quality surveys collected at 237 sites across the Upper Murrumbidgee River Catchment by more than 200 dedicated volunteers. Waterwatch Coordinator and PCT Fellow Martin Lind (2012) notes that this Waterwatch program is an outstanding example of how facilitated “citizen science” can provide evidentiary data (water quality, waterbug and riparian condition) to support an early warning system for riverine health issues.
The CHIP Report can be downloaded HERE.
