New research centre focused on water sustainability

A new national water research centre, which aims to improve the liveabilty, productivity and sustainability of Australian cities, will be officially launched in Melbourne today. 

To be opened by the Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, Senator Don Farrell, the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Water Sensitive Cities has received $30 million start up funding from the Australian Government. Headquartered at Monash University, the CRC will have a total budget of more than $100 million over nine years.

The CRC includes four research hubs in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Singapore, with projects in all capital cities as well as Singapore, the Netherlands and Denmark.

Chief Executive of the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities, Monash University's Professor Tony Wong, said the centre brought together inter-disciplinary research and expertise to address the challenges in managing our urban water resources.

"The CRC brings together disciplines as diverse as climate science, engineering, urban planning, behavioural change management, commercial and property law and community health," Professor Wong said.

"It focuses on research concerned with providing water security for cities, enhancing and protecting the health of rivers, streams and wetlands, reducing the risk of flood and urban heat island effects and creating public spaces that harvest, clean and recycle water."

Professor Wong said the CRC combined research on water management with practical solutions that deliver real benefits for  industry and the community. 

"Already, 21 projects are underway involving the support of 76 partners including state government agencies, local governments, water authorities and universities," he said.

"It is estimated the research will guide more than $100 billion in water investments and $550 billion in private sector urban investments over the next 15 years."

Professor Wong said the CRC would work with communities to facilitate local projects and provide education and training programs to support water practitioners to delivers innovative and effective urban water management solutions.

A video outlining the CRC's vision of how Australia can create water sensitive cities will be released at the launch.