Themes

Hub activities are organised around eight themes aligning with the current areas of investment activity of the partner organisations. Five themes reflect key aquatic assets - River Channels, Wetlands and Floodplain, Estuaries and Riparian zones. Three reflect key Victorian waterway management issues and key focus areas - water for the environment, Cultural Values and Knowledge and Citizen Science. The Hub will be adaptable, and so themes may change over time, depending on emerging priorities.

Please note that a brief overview of each theme is provided here, and there are links to key government programs and sources for more detailed information.

These themes are:

River Channels

The river channel, which includes the bed and banks, supports many important values such as water supply to industry, agriculture and urban areas, recreational activities and important habitat for plants and animals.

Wetlands and Floodplains

This theme is concerned with activities that support wetland management and restoration, including assessment of values, threats and condition.

Estuaries

This Hub theme is concerned with the sharing of knowledge of projects that support estuary management including methods for assessing estuary condition and the collection of baseline information.

Riparian

This Hub theme is concerned with the sharing of knowledge of projects that support riparian zone management and restoration including assessments of values, threats, condition and development of guidelines for appropriate riparian management.

Aquatic Biota

This Hub theme is concerned with the sharing of knowledge of projects that support an understanding of the ecology of aquatic biota including recreationally and conservationally significant species.

Water for the Environment

This Hub theme is concerned with the sharing of knowledge of projects that support environmental water research, monitoring and management in Victoria.

Cultural Values and Knowledge

This Hub theme covers the sharing of knowledge of activities that support the recognition of the values that water has for Aboriginal people.

Citizen Science

This Hub theme is concerned with sharing knowledge regarding engaging the community in being part of aquatic research and monitoring and providing multiple lines of evidence to support best practice management.

Organisations involved in aquatic monitoring and research in Victoria

Many State government agencies are involved in aquatic monitoring and research projects, as well as more broadly in the management of waterways and catchments. Federal government agencies also play an important role. These agencies may invest directly in research and monitoring, and use the results to inform and improve their management. Various universities and consultancies are also involved in aquatic monitoring and research.