Five new projects to improve Queensland water modelling

Queensland’s water management capabilities will be enhanced by five new projects focusing on modelling surface and groundwater. The Queensland Government has invested $525,080 in the projects through the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI).

Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Kerrie Wilson said, “Understanding water through modelling informs how we plan and manage this precious resource sustainably.

“This is why the Queensland Water Modelling Network was established – to improve our capacity to model surface and groundwater resources and their quality and to provide the tools, information and collaboration needed to support best practices in all these endeavours.”

The projects will be undertaken by consortia, including First Nations representatives, universities, utilities, natural resource management bodies, consultancies and government agencies.

The latest projects have now commenced. They will deliver critical solutions to some of Queensland’s most pressing water problems and roll out innovative ways to manage the state’s waterways better in partnership with First Nations groups.

“These latest water modelling projects signify our substantial commitment to enhancing the accuracy of water management practices, particularly in light of climate change impacts,” Professor Wilson said.

“Sound, scientifically validated water management decisions deliver numerous benefits for the environment and the community.”

Water models are developed and used to inform decision-making on a range of water policy, planning and management issues, including water resource planning, groundwater impact assessment, flood risk management and Great Barrier Reef water quality improvement.

Established in 2017, the Queensland Water Modelling Network has funded 24 projects through its annual strategic tender to improve the state’s ability to model its surface and groundwater resources. These include modelling to support climate adaptation of Queensland’s waterholes by incorporating First Nations land management into technical approaches to water modelling.

Streambank erosion and floodplain deposition modelling

Paddock to Reef (P2R) sediment models are crucial for managing Great Barrier Reef catchments. This project will use DESI’s Queensland River Classification Scheme to better tailor P2R models to diverse river types, improving sediment load estimates and ensuring more effective and cost-efficient landscape restoration efforts. A consortium of Alluvium, the University of Melbourne and Blunomy is delivering the project.

Facilitating Traditional Owner-led catchment repair using the Scenario Tool

This Gimuy (Cairns) project integrates Indigenous knowledge with urban water and liveability planning through a Water Sensitive Cities Scenario Tool, ensuring water management strategies protect cultural values and empower First Nations People. It is being delivered by a consortium of Alluvium, Water Sensitive Cities Australia, HARC Services, Cairns Regional Council, Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Elders Aboriginal, and Agriculture.

A review of the science and modelling tools for improved assessment of aquaculture discharge

This project will enhance modelling techniques to better assess aquaculture’s environmental impacts, help align aquaculture with the water quality needs of sensitive areas like the Great Barrier Reef and promote sustainable growth while protecting the environment. A consortium of Alluvium, Griffith University, the University of Queensland and BMT Commercial Australia is delivering it.

Resilience of K’gari’s lake systems to climate variability

This project focuses on understanding K’gari’s lake and groundwater systems, assessing their resilience to climate variability and human activity while respecting the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation’s heritage as Native Title holders, helping sustainable water management to harmonise cultural values with scientific understanding. It is being delivered by a consortium of CSIRO, Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG)  and the University of Adelaide.

Developing a process to determine cultural flows in needs for Queensland water planning

This project will develop a middle and upper Mitchell River cultural flow model to integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait knowledge into Queensland’s water planning frameworks. Outcomes will include a draft conceptual flow model and a report, laying the groundwork for future guidelines that unite water management with First Nations cultural values. Griffith University, The Mitchell River and the Traditional Custodians Advisory Group Aboriginal Corporation are delivering this project.

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