Partners lodge Water Security CRC bid
Australian cities and towns are facing a water security challenge from the combined pressures of population growth, climate change and growing community calls for greater amenity, liveability, and environmental health. COVID-19 is adding to the pressure since water plays a crucial role in liveability and human and ecological health outcomes.
Our communities are increasingly vulnerable to extreme events (including pandemics) and we need new approaches to ensure water is both available and affordable. We also need to help foster the next generation of water professionals who can take a whole-of-system approach in a post COVID world.
The proposed Water Security CRC is a collaborative partnership with industry to find innovative solutions to the potential crisis of water availability and affordability.
On 29 July, partners in the Water Security CRC bid submitted the Stage 1 application to the Commonwealth Government. The core partners are Griffith University, the University of Queensland, Monash University, Curtin University and the Water Sensitive Cities Institute.
If successful, the new Water Security CRC will conduct research programs looking at issues such as:
- integrating urban and regional planning
- developing hybrid solutions that combine grey and green infrastructure
- maximising investment in water supply and wastewater treatment, and mitigating against contamination
- using water to deliver ecological and human health outcomes
- addressing governance and regulatory barriers that inhibit integrated water cycle management.
Now that the Water Security CRC Stage 1 application is submitted, the remaining timeline is:
- Stage 2 opens late October/early November 2020
- Interviews held February 2021
- Outcomes announced March 2021
- Funding starts October 2021.
Stay tuned for more information.