Research

Rapid land use, climate change and biodiversity loss are leading us to dangerous tipping points that require extraordinary investments to restore ecosystem function and services and optimise the economic benefits that water provides to human society.

We leverage emerging technologies in machine learning, data science, modelling, and AI to analyse and interpret large and diverse catchment datasets and knowledge systems. By generating and using various alternative socioecological scenarios, we can model and test targeted actions that align with national water reforms and local restoration initiatives. Our models will support the development of informed plans and balanced policies for sustainable water management.

Changing climate is severely constraining traditional low-cost water supply sources like dams. Providing reliable, cost-effective water supply and wastewater treatment is also being affected by mandates for low-emission solutions and reduced budgets for water supplies.

We provide solutions to increase water supply security through innovative circular economy concepts, novel urban water management approaches and the digitisation of the urban water network. By facilitating intelligent systems with digital meters and distributed sensors, we reduce water leakage in networks and prompt immediate consumer demand responses to water scarcity events.

Freshwater biodiversity across the globe is increasingly threatened by growing human populations and increasing water demands, with rates of freshwater biodiversity loss far exceeding those of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Our research informs the restoration and conservation of aquatic biodiversity, including threatened species and their critical habitats.

Water governance is needed at all levels, from local to national and beyond, to effectively implement existing laws informed by science. This will ensure the rights and interests to water for all, including First Peoples. However, institutional barriers and inconsistent regulatory enforcement has led to inadequate water management.

We will contribute to the evidence-based science for underpinning policies and high-quality decision-making through better water governance at all levels. We will also seek to reduce the bureaucratic and transactional lags that perpetuate environmental stressors.

Soil fertility is declining worldwide, threatening agriculture and the quality of the connected catchments. Promising initiatives to offset climate change stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, flood, include transforming farm-based organic resources, and developing waste mitigation strategies for the entire supply chain and intensive farming practices.

We seek to understand the environmental impacts from exposure to stressors of concern, from diverse waste streams, and address loss of soil fertility and agricultural production, leading to healthy and resilient soil and water systems.

The world’s rapidly growing population is increasing demand for coastal and marine resources and intensifying stress on marine ecosystems.

We develop cutting-edge solutions using AI, computer vision, and modelling to enhance decision-making in coastal management. Our research boosts ecosystem resilience by promoting actions to mitigate pollution in estuaries and oceans, restore catchments and coastal habitats, and sequester carbon. We also facilitate better planning for coastlines and communities facing rising sea levels and climate change.