Strengthening water security, food production and healthy ecosystems.
Water is a critical but increasingly limited resource and is vital for a sustainable future. We work closely with communities, businesses and governments to understand their needs, and to help improve their resilience to climate, water and environmental threats.
Our work
We build knowledge systems to help natural resource managers make complex decisions about competing water uses in both rural and urban landscapes. We develop advanced technologies to help deliver safe water supplies and healthy environmental systems.
Partnering with the agricultural sector, we also use remote sensing technologies to evaluate water availability and the impact of other influences on crop health to improve farm productivity.
Why it matters
From climate change to population growth, our ability to grow enough food, provide safe, secure water and maintain healthy, functioning ecosystems is under increasing pressure in Australia and globally. Food demand is rising as arable land and water resources are diminishing.
How we can help
We work closely with farmers, river and catchment managers and water utilities to understand their challenges, and to develop practical solutions in urban and natural environments. We co-create solutions and knowledge systems to improve resources management, for better decision-making and to inform policies.
Our collaborators
- Agri-related businesses and industry bodies
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Catchment management authorities
- Commonwealth, state and local governments
- Environmental water-holding authorities
- Indigenous communities
- Murray–Darling Basin Authority
- Sensing and remote-control system manufacturers
- Water utilities, distribution and management agencies
Partner with us
What challenges do you have? Let us help you solve them.
Make an enquiry and our business development team will contact you.
Our multi-disciplinary teams work in close collaboration with partners; from farmers to industry and government agencies. Our research builds the prerequisite knowledge for better, evidence-based decision-making, through advanced monitoring, mapping, modelling and forecasting.
We develop sophisticated sensing, remote control and data management systems. We integrate the most advanced technologies into water delivery systems and infrastructure to improve water use efficiency and to utilise more diverse water sources.
Research programs
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Precision agriculture and remote sensing
Sensing and control technologies for improved agricultural productivity.
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River basins
Planning better short and long-term water management.
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Environmental water
Evidenced-based decisions targeting ecological outcomes.
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Urban water infrastructure
Safe, secure water for towns and cities
Place-based research programs
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Mallee Regional Innovation Centre
Partnerships in transformational water, energy, horticulture and environmental research.
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Goulburn Murray Catchment
Resilience, climate change, water planning, environmental flows, and precision agriculture.
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Fishermans Bend, Melbourne
Diverse source urban water management test-bed.
Partner with us
What challenges do you have? Let us help you solve them.
Make an enquiry and our business development team will contact you.
Meet our team of world-renowned researchers, engineers, and talented staff.
- Prof Michael Stewardson
Program Leader, Water, Environment and Agriculture
- Dr Sharon Davis
Enterprise Senior Fellow, Water, Environment and Agriculture
- Dr Brian Pang
Business Development and Research Commercialisation, Water, Environment and Agriculture
Research program leaders
Pablo Zarco-Tejada, Precision agriculture and remote sensing
Angus Webb, Environmental Water
QJ Wang, River Basins
Meenakshi Arora, Urban Water
Anthony Stickland, Urban Water
Researchers
Partner with us
What challenges do you have? Let us help you solve them.
Make an enquiry and our business development team will contact you.
Partner with us
We are client-focussed and collaborative – we work side-by-side with your leaders, engineers and technicians to develop solutions to your challenges.
From multi-partner research to technical training and internships, get in contact with us about:
- Emerging technologies
- Developing technology strategies
- Technical training
- Engineering customised solutions
- Creating a talent pipeline through student engagement
- Leveraging our state-of-the-art research facilities
What challenges do you have? Let us help you solve them.
Make an enquiry and our business development manager will get in contact with you.
Media enquiries
Prue Gildea, Media Advisor
M: +61 466 473 741
E: prue.gildea@unimelb.edu.au
Water Security Series
Bringing together thought leaders from academia, industry and government to provide evidence-based insights and raise the quality of debate around key issues in water security.
If you would like to be a speaker or submit a discussion topic for future Water Security events contact industry-events@unimelb.edu.au.
WednesdayHow is the Basin Plan restoring environmental flow regime in the Murray-Darling?- WednesdayRegional research & innovation in water and agriculture
- WednesdaySensing and analytics for precision irrigation
WednesdayUnintended impacts of poor water quality on animal health and production- WednesdayRecent changes in Victorian rainfall and runoff – findings and implications
WednesdayChanging nature of water-energy: online panel discussion- WednesdayCOVID-19 wastewater surveillance: an online panel discussion
- WednesdayAre our cities ready for a diversified water supply in future?
- WednesdayGender equality in the water sector
- TuesdayImpacts of recent bush fires on water resources
- WednesdayONE Basin Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Roadshow
- ThursdayEnvironmental Outcomes from the Basin Plan
- ThursdayRiver Murray System Operations
- WednesdayContaminants of Emerging Concern
- ThursdayThe Melbourne Region Healthy Waterways Strategy
- ThursdayReturning flow to the Murray Darling
- ThursdayImplications for water storage
- ThursdayMurray-Darling Truths
