Recent Projects undertaken by EWR:

Biophysical Impact Modelling Options for Private Plantation Forestry                                                                               

Jun – Oct 2005

This project set out to review the options for modelling the environmental impacts of new plantation forestry on private land. 

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This project generated an updatable web based register documenting Best Management Practice (BMPs) related to catchment water quality in Victoria.  The database aims to be a reference for natural resource managers to understand the current suite of BMPs and documents with similar intent e.g. Codes of Practice, guidelines.

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Victorian Knowledge Brokering Trial and Business Plan Development

Victorian Catchment Management Council DSE Victoria

Oct 2005 – Nov 2007

EWR are undertaking the knowledge exchange project for the Victorian Catchment Management Council. Knowledge management is about directing, harnessing and realising the value from the range of knowledge providers for measurable impact. The three key areas of knowledge management comprising (i) generation, (ii) synthesis and (iii) exchange are fundamental aspects to consider for sustainability managing of natural resources.

The primary objectives of the project are to:

• Build a business case for knowledge brokering services that is evidence based and supported by Victoria’s Catchment Management Framework
• Design, implement and test a Soil Knowledge Broker service that provides a generic model for other natural resource management themes
• Provide a generic blue-print in order to facilitate the ongoing, effective and efficient use of catchment knowledge across Victoria

Fact Sheet 1 - Introduction to the Project

Technical review and briefing on the current status of airborne geophysics

Victorian NAP/NHT Office

Aug 2005

This project required the rapid development of a background briefing paper for the Victorian NAP/NHT office on the status of airborne geophysics (AG) technology and the generally agreed position held on its usefulness and priority for dryland salinity catchment management across Victoria.

The assessment comprised several components:

• An analysis of the technological status of AG through consideration of key documents, research papers, web sites, and discussions with key identified experts in the field.
• Discussion with key identified state and regional stakeholders in development of the statewide position on the application of AG.
• A formal briefing paper on issues for consideration in developing the Victorian position, and conclusions drawn from the information gathered.

The assessment took place across an intensive five day investigation window, and provided the state NAP/NHT office with a position to take to the state/commonwealth NAP Joint Steering Committee.

Project Management of hydrogeological research for a CMA

2005-

This project provides contract management services, whereby EWR is overseeing the progress of hydrogeological research projects being conducted from three different universities.  Primary tasks include contract administration to ensure that project milestones are met, and scientific review to assist in the quality assurance of these milestones.    EWR assists in facilitating communication opportunities between the client and researcher and between the respective research groups.

Integrated science and policy exploring catchment water trade-offs

Victorian NAP Office

Nov 05 – Dec 06

This project seeks to increase the understanding of the relationship between policy, science and modelling by working through  two “real world” physical, social, scientific, institutional and policy case studies in Victoria. This will occur in the context of understanding the tradeoffs in the catchment water asset, which supplies services to the environment, irrigation areas, towns and for recreational pursuit.  Whilst the decision on water sharing will actually occur through a negotiation process, the attributes of the resource to be shared requires discussion of the broader tradeoffs associated with landscape change policy.  These policies range from industry land use perspectives to government policies on salinity and water quality.       

Achievement of the project objective requires a dialogue between policy, scientists and modellers.  Techniques such as Bayesian Networks will be trialed as a communication mechanism between these groups, to inform of the relationships, evidence base and uncertainties associated in the links through policy, science to outcomes for assets.  This approach will allow landscape scenarios to be constructed, outcomes to be tested, knowledge gaps to be identified, evidence to be upgraded and final policy trade off discussions to be made within a defined envelope of possibility.

CMA Landcare Strategy

Apr-Nov 2005

This project entails development of a Landcare and Community Support Strategy. Initially this includes a review of the current Landcare Support Strategy and other Landcare and community support requirements.  Future directions are then considered in relation to program delivery for the Landcare Program.

An important emphasis in the project is extensive community consultation in developing the strategy. The project acknowledges the importance of people and community in strategic decision making for the future management of natural resources.

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