National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training

As the planet's driest inhabited continent, Australia is dependent on access to freshwater supplies for both economic and social survival and development. While groundwater is a vital natural resource it is poorly understood. To ensure its effective and sustainable management it is necessary to improve our understanding of the geology of aquifers, how controlling froundwater quality including salinity, recharge and discharge from aquifers, how groundwater interacts with rivers, lakes, vegetation and the oceans, and the human drivers and impacts. The centre will bring together a critical mass of the world class scientists to conduct internationally-relevant research and provide postgraduate training to significantly improve our understanding of groundwater in order to maximise the potential use and sustainability of this important resource.