The One Basin CRC is led by the University of Melbourne and has 85 partners who have tipped in another $106.5 million, to focus on regionally based research and development to support innovation and adaptation by farmers and communities.
University of Melbourne professor and interim chief executive of the organisation Mike Stewardson said the One Basin CRC was shaped by industry and would pave the way to transform irrigation regions across Australia and internationally.
“By 2037, an estimated $4.3 billion of economic impact will be generated by innovation in water, agriculture and energy technology, enhanced forecasting and decision-making capacity, with a focus on sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change,” he said.
“Australia’s irrigation regions are the powerhouse of Australia’s agricultural sector producing 50 per cent of Australia’s agricultural profits, with the Murray-Darling Basin being the focus of two thirds of that irrigated agriculture.”
Over its 10-year term, One Basin CRC’s activities will be concentrated across four regional basin hubs at Loxton, Mildura, Griffith and Goondiwindi, working directly with industry, businesses, First Nations, community and government.
The organisation is expected to formally start in October.
