CQU has become an equal member in a consortium known as the International Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Management.

Professor Bob Miles, Executive Director of CQU\'s Institute for Sustainable Regional Development, said CQU was the only northern Australia entity in the consortium, giving it a window of opportunity to handle the dry tropical water dimension.

\"It may be appropriate to now consider a cross-faculty interest in developing water management as a key strategic driver for CQU,\" Professor Miles said.

The International centres of excellence program is an initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training.

The level of Commonwealth funding for ICE Water is $6.7m over 2.5 years ($1.5m in 2003/4, $3.0m in 2004/5 and $2.2m in 2005/6).

Goals of the new ICE Water:.

 attract high quality international students to Australia.

 expand the international engagement of our businesses and education and training systems.

 maximise the domestic flow-on benefits of internationalisation for the education, research and science sectors and our national skills base.

The International Centres of Excellence will:.

 develop formal networks with strategic overseas counterparts.

 enable the international exchange of staff and students for consultancy services and research.

 conduct collaborative projects, information exchanges, discussion forums and joint conferences and workshops.

 diffuse expertise in education gained from international engagement.

 support innovative approaches to research, teaching and learning at all levels to further develop Australia’s international reputation in these areas.

Concept of Water Australia:.

A gateway into Australia’s research, education and training capabilities in water resources management.

Partners:.

 University of Adelaide, South Australia.

 Flinders University of South Australia.

 University of South Australia.

 Deakin University, Victoria.

 University of Newcastle, New South Wales.

 Central Queensland University, Queensland.

 TAFESA.

 Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology, South Australia.

 Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO), Land and Water Division.

 Centre for Groundwater Studies, Western Australia and South Australia.

 Co-operative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment.

 Department of Land, Water and Biodiversity Conservation, South Australia.

 SA Water Corporation.

 South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), South Australia  United Water International Pty Ltd.

 AITEC Corporate Education & Consulting.

Additional Funding:.

State Government (through the Premier’s Science and Research Council): $210k per year for 3 years.

Each of the Universities: $70k per year for 5 years.

Main areas of expertise:.

Sustainable surface water and groundwater water management (including reuse).

Integrated catchment management.

Ecosystem management.

Water resources policy.

Water and wastewater treatment technology.

Asset management.

Health risk assessment.

Activities:.

 Coursework Masters (Plus Grad Diploma and Grad Certificate) in Water Resources Management.

 Professional Doctorate in WRM.

 PhD and Research Masters degrees.

 Bachelors and Honours degrees.

 Attract students into existing undergraduate programs.

 Short Courses run by local and international experts.

 Courses for para-professionals (e.g. operators).

 Study tours.

 Develop modules for internet delivery.

 Run courses offshore (e.g. Singapore).

 Research exchanges of staff and students with other international centres.

 Organise conferences (e.g. Asia Pacific Association for Hydrology and Water Resources Conference 2005).

 Run seminar series (Australian and international experts).

 Subscription-based services (e.g. newsletter and journals.

Structure:.

ICE Water will be a company with shares held by all partners.

A staff of eight will include: Executive Director (international reputation in water resources management), education services officers (2), communications and marketing manager, business development managers (2), administrative officer, office manager.