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The Goyder Institute for Water Research (Goyder Institute) is a research alliance focused on the identification, development, and adoption of sustainable solutions for managing water in South Australia. Established in 2010 by the South Australian Government, the collaboration includes the Department for Environment and Water (DEW), the CSIRO, Flinders University, the University of Adelaide, and the University of South Australia.

The Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre was opened in Goolwa, South Australia in February 2024.

Background

South Australia experienced a prolonged drought leading up to 2010, and there were serious concerns about fair distribution of water throughout the Murray–Darling basin. It was recognised that legislative changes were needed to the Commonwealth Water Act 2007. The South Australian Government provided new funding to for the establishment and operation of the Goyder Institute for Water Research (Goyder Institute) with the aim of improving water security in South Australia, and enhancing the capacity of the government "to deliver science-based policy and water management outcomes". [1] The Goyder Institute for Water Research was established in 2010. [2]

Members and governance

Members of the research collaboration Goyder Institute for Water Research are the Department for Environment and Water (DEW), the CSIRO, Flinders University, the University of Adelaide, and the University of South Australia. [3] [4]

The Goyder Institute is governed by a board, comprising an independent chair; the director of the institute; and a representative from each partner organisation (DEW), CSIRO, and the three universities. [5]

  • Australian physicist Ian Chessell was the founding chair of the Goyder Institute in 2010, holding the position for five years. [2]
  • Barry Hart was chair for three years (2018–2023). [6]
  • Jody Swirepik (formerly Director of National Parks, within the Commonwealth department DCCEEW, and before that had worked for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority) was appointed in November 2023. [6]

As of February 2024, the director of the Goyder Institute is Alec Rolston. [3]

The Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre

Rebekha Sharkie, federal government MP for the Division of Mayo, approached finance minister Mathias Cormann in 2019 about funding a research centre in the region that includes the complex ecosystems of the Coorong, Lower Lakes, and Murray Mouth. [3]

Starting in the 2022/23 financial year, the Australian Labor Government awarded A$8 million over four years to the Goyder Institute to work with local communities to investigate the effects of climate change on the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CCLLM) region. The funding was provided in order to create a new research centre in Goolwa, as well as a planned research program. [7] [8]

The Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Research Centre was officially opened in early February 2024 by Rebekha Sharkie, attended by First Nations engagement officer Nathan Hartman, South Australian politicians Karen Grogan and David Basham, and others representing the Goyder Institute and local communities. [3] An important part of the new centre is developing relationships with First Nations and other local communities, as well as industries, to gain input and new ideas of how to improve management of the area, [8] in particular the Ngarrindjeri and Boandik peoples. [3]

Publications

The Goyder Institute has published its technical report series, comprising 5-10 issues per year, since 2011. They are published as electronic resources. [9]

Examples of projects

One early Goyder Institute research project was Facilitating Long-Term Outback Water Solutions, known as G-FLOWS. This project was focused on locating, defining, and quantifying groundwater resources in areas of South Australia earmarked as priority mineral prospecting zones, including the Musgrave Province, the north east and north west Gawler Craton, parts of the Frome Embayment, and the northern Eyre Peninsula. Some of the impacts of this work were cited as: [1]

  • Reduced need for exploratory drilling for water and minerals (reduced cost and impact on communities and environment)
  • Improved water security for remote Indigenous communities
  • Opportunities for mineral exploration and economic development of the region (mining and the pastoral industry)

References

  1. ^ a b "Water – Goyder". CSIRO. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b Goyder Institute Annual Report 2014/2015 (PDF) (Report). 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e Horn, Caroline (4 February 2024). "Goolwa research centre to focus on climate change solutions for Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Who We Are – Goyder Institute". Goyder Institute. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Management Board". Goyder Institute. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Goyder Institute for Water Research announces new Chair – Goyder Institute". Goyder Institute. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Goyder Institute for Water Research Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Research Centre". DCCEEW. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  8. ^ a b "New research hub to help future-proof water resources in Goolwa region". The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  9. ^ Goyder Institute for Water Research (2011), Goyder Institute for Water Research technical report series, Goyder Institute for Water Research, ISSN  1839-2725

External links

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