eWater Cooperative Research Centre
" eWater was established in July 2005, the result of a merger between two former Cooperative Research Centres - the CRC for Catchment Hydrology and the CRC for Freshwater Ecology - and a number of other water-focused organisations. "

Earlier history

The CRC for Catchment Hydrology (CRCCH; 1992-2005) and CRC for Freshwater Ecology (CRCFE; 1993-2005) focused (as their names suggest) on hydrological modelling for catchments, and on improving the ecological condition of Australia's inland waters. Their stories are told in their archive websites (see links below).

Among the valuable outcomes of CRCCH was the Catchment Modelling Toolkit, which eWater CRC now manages and supports.

Meanwhile, CRCFE was instrumental in building recognition of the importance of river ecosystems being in healthy condition for the future of Australian water supplies and aquatic biodiversity.

The late Professor Peter Cullen AO FTSE (1943-2008) helped establish the CRC for Freshwater Ecology (CRCFE) in 1992-1993, and he led it as its Chief Executive until mid 2002. Peter was well-known to many Australians as a clear-thinking and direct-speaking person whose influence helped raise awareness of water issues and drive Australian sustainable water policy initiatives, from the 1990s right up until his death in March 2008.

His writings during his years with CRCFE are being assembled and are available here.



2005-2008, Changing faces, changing roles

Every leader in eWater CRC or eWater Limited has made a valuable contribution towards achieving eWater's objectives.

Board

Since 2005, Dr Colin Chartres (CSIRO and National Water Commission) and Mr Barrie Turner (Sydney Catchment Authority) have resigned, and Dr Rob Vertessy and Mr David Dreverman have been elected.

Executive

Since 2005, Professor Stuart Bunn (Griffith University), Dr Robert Argent (The University of Melbourne), succeeded by Dr Nick Marsh (CSIRO Land & Water), Charles Robinson (eWater Limited) and Mr David Perry (eWater Limited) have resigned from executive roles because of other workloads. Their roles are currently filled by Jane Blackmore, Joel Rahman, Aapo Skorulis and Gareth Lloyd.

Internal organisation structure and leaders

Since 2005, the internal organisation has changed, from a structure with around 30 interlinked project teams within programs, to our current four large integrated projects (plus education program). (Overview of research and product development, 2005-2008.)

The staff listed below (in no particular order) have led eWater projects and/or programs or other activities at various times during 2005-2008.

  • Professor Angela Arthington (Griffith University) - 'Landscape analysis' research program; Rivers and floodplains (project F2)
  • Dr Nick Bond (Monash University) - Theories of landscape ecology (project A1)
  • Assoc. Prof. Ian Rutherfurd (The University of Melbourne) - Spatial optimisation of planning (project A2)
  • Dr Angus Webb (The University of Melbourne) - Spatial optimisation of planning (project A2)
  • Dr Michael Stewardson (The University of Melbourne) - Modelling multiple drivers (project B1)
  • Dr Francis Chiew (CSIRO Land & Water) - Modelling hydroclimatic variability (project C1)
  • Dr Bill Young (CSIRO Land & Water) - 'Biophysical processes' research program
  • Dr Tim McVicar (CSIRO Land & Water) - Forecasting of streamflow (project D1)
  • Dr Jim Cox (CSIRO Land & Water) - Constituent dynamics (project D2)
  • Dr Freeman Cook (CSIRO Land & Water) - Constituent dynamics (project D2)
  • Mr Ian Jolly (CSIRO Land & Water) - Groundwater (project D3)
  • Dr Christy Fellows (Griffith University) - In-stream processes (project F1)
  • Mr Andy Steven (CSIRO Land & Water) - Rivers and estuaries (project F3)
  • Ms Jane Blackmore (CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems) - 'Water management' research program; Risk and resilience (project H2)
  • Mr Geoff Podger (CSIRO Land & Water) - 'Water management' research program; Water management decisions (project J1)
  • Dr Grace Mitchell (Monash University) - Urban water management (project E1)
  • Assoc. Professor Peter Coombes (The University of Newcastle) - Innovative approaches urban (project E2)
  • Assoc. Professor John Tisdell (Griffith University) - Economic analysis in resources (project G1)
  • Dr Ejaz Qureshi (CSIRO Land & Water) - Economic analysis in resources (project G1)
  • Professor George Kuczera (The University of Newcastle) - Uncertainty analysis in models (project H1)
  • Professor Graeme Dandy (The University of Adelaide) - New approaches to modelling (project J2)
  • Assoc. Professor Robert Argent (The University of Melbourne) - 'Product technologies' research program; Integration blueprint (project X1);
  • Mr Peter Fitch (CSIRO Land & Water) - 'Product technologies' research program
  • Mr Jean-Michel Perraud (CSIRO Land & Water) - Software research (project K1)
  • Dr David Lemon (CSIRO Land & Water) - Linking to predictive models (project L1)
  • Mr Joel Rahman (CSIRO Land & Water) - 'Product technologies' research program; Software product development (project R1)
  • Dr Nick Marsh (CSIRO Land & Water) - Restoration, planning and prioritisation (project P6); Ecological modelling platform (project R2)
  • Professor Richard Norris (University of Canberra) - 'Water education and e-learning' research program; Improving uptake and adoption (project M1)
  • Mr David Nicholls (Murray-Darling Basin Commission) - River operations and seasonal planning product (project P1)
  • Ms Alice Brown (CSIRO Land & Water) - RiverManager product (project P2)
  • Dr John Ruffini (Queensland Dept of Natural Resources & Water) - 'River operations and management' development program
  • Mr Tony McAlister (BMT WBM Pty Ltd) - 'Urban water systems' development program
  • Dr Michael Barry (BMT WBM Pty Ltd) - Cluster-scale urban product (project P3)
  • Mr Matt Hardy (BMT WBM Pty Ltd) - Cluster-scale urban product (project P3)
  • Mr Alan Barton (Brisbane City Council) - Regional-scale urban product (project P4)
  • Dr Rory Nathan (SKM Pty Ltd) - 'Water and constituent accounting' development program
  • Dr Phillip Jordan (SKM Pty Ltd) - Water and constituent simulation product 'WaterCAST' (project P5)
  • Mr Ed Pikusa (SA Dept of Water, Land & Biodiversity Conservation) - 'River and catchment restoration' development program
  • Mr Peter Cottingham (eWater Ltd) - Restoration planning & prioritisation product (project P6)
  • Mr Paul Wettin (consultant) - Restoration planning & prioritisation product (project P6)
  • Dr Nick Marsh (CSIRO Land & Water) - 'Integrated monitoring and assessment systems' development program; Restoration planning & prioritisation product (project P6)
  • Dr Sunil Tennakoon (Queensland Environmental Protection Agency) - Integrated monitoring and assessment systems (project P7)
  • Ms Ruth O'Connor (eWater Ltd) - Integrated monitoring and assessment systems (project P7).