Practical coastal management and restoration for sustainability at a local and international level
The Coastal and Marine Research Centre (CMRC) brings together Griffith University science and engineering experts from across the marine and coastal fields.
With a focus on cutting-edge techniques supported by peer-reviewed science, we bring together global scientific and management best practices and apply them at a local level through authentic engagement with government, councils, industry and community members, and traditional custodians. Through wide-ranging research programs, community engagement initiatives and strong partnerships, we put theory into practice for the greater good.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is committed to advancing sustainable development through comprehensive initiatives that promote economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and good governance for all.
Our impact
Our work includes:
- assisting with the monitoring and management of Southeast Queensland’s famous surf beaches
- providing data and subject matter expertise that informs significant policy and funding decisions in the Queensland Government’s management of the Great Barrier Reef and catchment zones
- developing more efficient and effective aquaculture systems to sustainably meet the food needs of our expanding population
- participating in worldwide coastal restoration efforts to repair the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services that has occurred over the last 100 years.
A message from the Director
"The centre's research supports improved policy, management and decision making for coastal communities. Join us in helping to improve the sustainability of coastal ecosystems and the communities they support, as we move to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals."
Professor Rod Connolly
Strategic initiatives
The CMRC encompasses a broad portfolio of science, social science and engineering work in the coastal and marine space. Our overarching goal is to drive optimisation and efficiency in conservation management, ecosystem restoration and the underpinning of good policy, planning and management decisions to improve outcomes for our communities, oceans and coasts.
Coastal resilience
Studying and developing strategies to address the way coasts are responding to a constantly changing world, including changing climate conditions and sea-level rise.
Coastal restoration
Science to support the massive global restoration work currently underway—supported by the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration—to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of coastal conservation and regeneration efforts now and into the future.
Strategic data science
Woven throughout our work is a strong element of strategic data science. This includes automation, machine learning and statistical modelling, as well as utilising large datasets and public resources to increase precision understanding and to inform better decision-making.
Our researchers
Explore the dedicated research teams who are driving our success
Griffith Centre for Coastal Management
The Coastal and Marine Research Centre is built on the legacy and achievement of the former Griffith Centre for Coastal Management (GCCM)—founded in 1999 under now-Emeritus Professor Rodger Tomlinson. The new centre also includes marine researchers from the Australian Rivers Institute, the Cities Research Institute and other research centres at Griffith.
Now part of our Coastal Processes and Management program, the GCCM team's focus on coastal hazards assessment, beach management and community engagement provides one of the most comprehensive coastal advisory services in Australia.
Contact details
- Phone
- (07) 5552 7269
- Location and postal address
- Coastal and Marine Research Centre
- Room 2.01, Building G51
- Griffith University
- Gold Coast campus, Queensland, 4222
