A team of researchers from the University of Canberra has received almost $2.8 million in funding to monitor the effects of water delivery in the Murray Darling Basin.
The funding is part of a $30 million monitoring program announced by the Federal Government this week.
Researcher Fiona Dyer said her team would focus on the freshwater effects in the lower Lachlan river system.
“The channel and wetland network in this area includes numerous nationally and regionally significant wetlands,” she said.
“What we are hoping to develop is an understanding of the relationship between the amount of what that we have, that we put into the rivers and the environmental response.
“How does the vegetation respond to a particular amount of water that is put into the rivers?”
Dr Dyer said the findings of the research would be useful for irrigators, farmers, businesses and governments.
“What we learn from this project will help us to deliver water for the environment more effectively, with better outcomes for all water users,” she said.
Dr Dyer said Government involvement was crucial to maintain the health of the river system.
“In terms of investing… that the Government understands how their investment in buying water and releasing it for environmental outcomes,” she said.
“Receiving funding of such longevity is rare, but it will provide a very real opportunity to build a far deeper understanding of ecological responses to environmental water.”