WaterRA and AWA have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years to deliver evidence-driven industry insights and networking opportunities for water professionals and the sector.

WaterRA and AWA have continued to build this relationship through WaterRA’s national sponsorship of the Research and Development award and have now further strengthened this commitment through the recent signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Signed by Karen Rouse, CEO WaterRA and Corinne Cheeseman, CEO AWA at the 2022 Voices for the Bush Conference in August, the MOU is the first agreement between the organisations and recognises opportunities for both to work together effectively as they achieve for the members.

“I am excited to be signing this MoU as it signifies a renewed commitment by WaterRA and AWA to not only collaborate but to work synergistically to enhance the value we deliver to our respective members,” Karen Rouse said.

“The shared goal that we will work on initially, is to encourage and promote water research that delivers the knowledge and innovation that the sector needs to ensure healthy communities and a healthy planet.”

Through the MoU, both WaterRA and AWA are also focused on supporting a meaningful and valued contribution to reconciliation by the water sector ensuring First Nations people’s perspectives and wisdom are sought to guide water industry activities.

Pictured above: AWA CEO Corinne Cheeseman & WaterRA CEO Karen Rouse

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Based in Adelaide, Kelly joined WaterRA after completing her PhD in 2016 and over time has progressed from Research Co-ordinator to now Senior Research Manager.

During her tenure Kelly has spearheaded WaterRA’s collaborative research on catchment management, recreational access, antimicrobial resistance and wastewater-based epidemiology – being at the forefront of designing innovative research with our members, ensuring they build capability and achieve impact in their business. Most notably Kelly co-created and led our ColoSSoS Project – Collaboration on Sewage Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 – the water industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re immensely grateful for all the contributions that Kelly has made during her time with us,” said Karen Rouse, WaterRA CEO.

“Although Kelly will be missed, and leaves large shoes to fill, we are delighted she will be staying within the sector having accepted a role at Isle Utilities. We are looking forward to strengthening our collaboration with Isle to seamlessly bridge the gap between research and innovation.”

Over the coming weeks WaterRA’s Research Managers will work to ensure that Kelly’s projects are successfully transitioned to other members of the team. As this occurs we will notify project partners of their new contact.

The Board and staff of WaterRA wish Kelly all the best in her new role and thank her for her passion and commitment to the organisation over the past six years.

The post Farewell Dr Kelly Hill appeared first on Water Research Australia.

A collaborative partnership, the One Basin CRC, led by the University of Melbourne, will develop and commercialise opportunities for Australia’s irrigated agriculture and rural water industries.

One Basin CRC will create and assess new sustainable water and agricultural technologies and drive their adoption by water managers and farmers to increase agricultural production while ensuring environmental resilience and sustainability. First Nations inclusion, recognition and respect will also be a core element of the initiative.

University of Melbourne Professor Mike Stewardson, leading the One Basin CRC as interim CEO, said the One Basin CRC is shaped by industry and will pave the way to transform irrigation regions across Australia and internationally.

“By 2037, an estimated $4.3 billion of economic impact will be generated by innovation in water, agriculture and energy technology, enhanced forecasting and decision-making capacity, with a focus on sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change,” Professor Stewardson said in a statement.

“Australia’s irrigation regions are the powerhouse of Australia’s agricultural sector producing 50 per cent of Australia’s agricultural profits, with the Murray-Darling Basin being the focus of two thirds of that irrigated agriculture.”

Water Research Australia supported the One Basic CRC funding bid will play a role in the collaborative partnership on behalf of our members. General Manager Research Services Jacqueline Frizenschaf said WaterRA’s focus will be in the areas of knowledge transfer.

“We will impart outreach and knowledge transfer efforts for the benefit of our members, primarily through our Research Leadership Program and the Australian Water School,” Frizenschaf said.

“With Reconciliation Action Plans of our water utilities now actively progressing to include traditional owners in their business, WaterRA is ready to offer to our industry members additional opportunities to increase research for and with traditional owners in the Murray Darling Basin.”

Over its ten-year term, One Basin CRC’s activities will be concentrated across four regional Basin hubs located at Loxton, Mildura, Griffith and Goondiwindi, working directly with industry, businesses, First Nations, community and government.

For more information contact Jacqueline Frizenschaf or visit the One Basin CRC website.

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