The Team
This research project brings together the expertise of a range of participants, under the coordination and management of the Melbourne Water Research Centre, a University-wide initiative aimed at bringing together the strengths of different disciplines to make substantial progress on the practical challenges of Australia's water management.
The project is a broad collaborative effort involving:
- University of Melbourne:
- Schools of Agriculture and Food Systems
- School of Resource Management
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Faculty of Veterinary Science
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Sub-surface drip irrigation manufacturers and suppliers – Netafim, Toro and Plastro Asia Pacific
- Dairy farmers – through the Irrigation Innovation Network and demonstrators that is established for the two companion projects
And through the companion project "Regional Benefits through Smarter Irrigation"
- Department of Industry Innovation and Regional Development
- Goulburn-Murray Water, and
- National ICT Australia
The research draws on demonstrated world class strengths across the University of Melbourne and other participants. Participants each have existing major funded programs in their areas of expertise. The main role of this project is to generate new benefits from the interaction of these personnel on dairy industry questions and challenges. Many of the researchers have worked together before.
The University of Melbourne has already made a substantial commitment to this effort, by employing an Implementation Manager at Associate Professor level, to be based at Dookie campus for the five year duration of this project application (the first three years coinciding with the STI project).
The involvement of the Irrigation Innovation Network is viewed as key to generating outcomes that have relevance and significance to dairy farmers, and can be successfully translated and accepted in broader adoption efforts.
The research program itself includes both high level research and guidance, and doctoral level research which will attract and train future participants in dairy industry research and practice across all the disciplines involved.