QWMN Strategic Investment Priorities Report

The SIPR was based upon a review of verbal and written evidence (including previous QWMN reports) and resulted in a set of prioritised investment opportunities being identified. Opportunities were only considered if they were evaluated as having met the following criteria:

• Helping to achieve the QWMN purpose “to improve Queensland’s capacity to model its surface water and ground water resources and their quality” and/or QWMN goals:
  1. Build a state-wide network with national influence to deliver transformative change
  2. Foster integrated and scalable modelling to address water risks and opportunities
  3. Champion a community of practice to leverage expertise
  4. Encourage strategic co-investment and co-production in water modelling RD&I
  5. Increase application of water modelling to inform decision making
• Directly meet/address multiple identified needs,
• Cost effective, and;
• Achievable in the short term (within the next 4 years)

Opportunities identified and included fell into 3 main categories and were evaluated in terms of their likely impact (low to high), cost (low to high) and timeframe for completion and creation of impact (short, medium, long):

1. Opportunities for Workforce Capability and Capacity Development – by assisting universities to improve modelling education and incorporate increased work-based learning; continuing to support young modelling professionals and students; and exploring ways to enhance continuing professional development for water modelling and use staff.
2. Opportunities for Strengthening Water Modelling Pipelines – by supporting the mapping of science capability and capacity for water-related decision making areas; supporting the expansion of data sharing in Queensland, through CoP events that facilitate interactions between data owners and modellers; building modelling capacity through collaborative projects, knowledge sharing and development of modelling standards; improving the uptake of water modelling outputs into decision making; and investing in a clearer social science basis to good model and modelling communication practice that focuses on engagement, collaboration and trust building.
3. Reflections on how the QWMN’s RD&I might be strengthened – by fostering and strengthening industry-University linkages for RD&I; and widening its remit by including monitoring, where modelling is held back by data paucity.

More information on the options within each category can be found in the SIPR report which is available for download from here.