A review of water-related science and research capability across the Queensland Government, requested by the Queensland Chief Scientist, concluded that there were insufficient resources allocated for R&D modelling and strategic positioning to address future requirements by governments.
In response to these findings, in 2017 the Queensland Government launched the Queensland Water Modelling Network (QWMN) to improve the state’s capacity to model its surface water and groundwater resources and improve the quality of models. Since then, the QWMN has initiated more than 45 projects, from cataloguing major water models used by the Queensland Government through to integrating First Nations knowledge together with water and catchment models. Visit the department website for more details.
The QWMN provides research development opportunities, tools, information and networking platforms to support best-practice use of water models and their uptake by policy makers and natural resource managers. Run by our partners at the International WaterCentre, collaborative engagement activities between modellers, end-users, researchers and others, aim to build the capacity of the water modelling and use sector through interactive workshops, field trips and other networking opportunities.