Written by Allan Wilson

After a brief establishment period, the One Basin CRC’s Griffith Hub is now operational and preparing to welcome its first researchers. Strategically situated in a vital and iconic food and fiber region heavily dependent on irrigated water, the hub is poised to be a significant contributor to the town.

Hosted by Murrumbidgee Irrigation and funded through Charles Sturt University’s Gulbali Institute, the hub is located in the former CSIRO facility, adding a touch of continuity to its mission. It shares the site with CRC partner IREC (Irrigation Research and Extension Committee) and Deakin University’s Centre for Regional and Rural Futures.

Griffith Regional Hub Manager Dr Katie Dunne, who assumed her role early this year, envisions the One Basin CRC having a lasting impact.

‘The site is designed to house both research and industry partners, supporting collaboration and action research. The proximity of a range of crops will foster a diverse research team,’ Dr Dunne explained.

‘What I like about this is everyone working together for a common purpose.’

A key long-term goal is for research to continue in the region even after the CRC’s tenure.

‘Each hub has its own regional advisory committee with a mix of local and external members. Our philosophy is to offer practical outcomes and benefits for the industry, focusing on improvement,’ Dr. Dunne said.

‘That’s why our projects are co-designed and supported by the industry itself, with a focus on technology for irrigated agriculture.’

Initially, three PhD students will be based in Griffith, expected to arrive in September.

‘That’s when the ball will really get rolling,’ Dr Dunne said.

‘The hope is they will remain in or connected to the region after completing their PhDs, which Griffith needs. It’s very exciting; while it’s a new concept, we are here for the community with a long-term approach to the importance of water in the local economy. We’re trying to look at things differently, acting on outcomes, and ensuring the industry has a say.’

The hub aims to support communities, businesses, industries, and water managers in adapting to and thriving amid changing global drivers.

The One Basin CRC initiative, made possible by a 2022 $50 million federal government grant from the Commonwealth Cooperative Research Centres Program, will enable researchers from numerous esteemed universities to conduct impactful research.

Ten initial projects are being carried out at various hubs. In Griffith, the focus includes irrigation demand forecasting, multi-scale system storage control optimization, and water infrastructure anomaly detection and health prediction prototypes.

The Griffith Hub also leads the successful citizen science project integrating community groups into basin-scale fish tagging and recovery programs and a project aimed at building capacity to adapt to a more variable water future.

‘It’s very exciting; while it’s a new concept, we are here for the community and have a long-term approach around the importance of water in the local economy.

Dr Katie Dunne