The rivers, floodplains, wetlands and estuaries of northern Australia are key resources. They are relatively undisturbed and are highly distinctive compared with other regions of Australia. Fundamental to the vision for sustainable growth in northern Australia will be the development of these water resources, the industries that prosper and the values of rivers to be protected.

The Board of Land & Water Australia identified Australia's unique tropical rivers and associated catchments and estuaries as a priority area for a major investment over five years from July 2005.

Programme Goal

To undertake research and knowledge exchange to support the sustainable use, protection and management of Australia's Tropical Rivers.

Geographic scope

The geographic scope of the program is the two major drainage divisions in Australia's north draining into the Timor Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria.

Research themes

The Program is guided by four research themes:Assessing river assets and threats

1. Supporting regional planning frameworks
2. Assessing social, cultural and economic values and opportunities
3. Understanding river ecosystems

Further Information

Further detail on the Program is available by downloading Australia's Tropical Rivers Programme Plan  and Prospectus (pdf 500KB)

 

The Tropical Rivers R&D Program brochure (pdf 303Kb) provides a summary of the research projects and their geographic location.

Rip Rap Magazine No. 28  describes in detail some of the Tropical Rivers Programme research currently under way.

View final reports from completed projects .

For more information on the Program contact the Programme Coordinator Brendan Edgar    

Copyright © Land & Water Australia Last Updated: 13/02/2008 Phone: +61 2 6263 6000 Email: Land&WaterAustralia@lwa.gov.au