Planning ahead

The Science and Innovation Program is committed to the delivery of on-time, on-budget and best-practice scientific advice that meets the needs of all our stakeholders.

The Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) Action Plan

In 2007-2008, the Science and Innovation Program focused on implementing the SEQ Healthy Waterways Strategy 2007-2012 through delivering the Management Strategy Evaluation Action Plan (one of the three enabling action plans in the Strategy).

The MSE Action Plan captures the research, modelling and monitoring activities of the Partnership.

Outcomes of the MSE Action Plan are:

• The implementation of actions and management investments to achieve the Healthy Waterways vision will be underpinned by the best science delivered through an integrated research strategy.
• Decision support tools underpinning the development, implementation and evaluation of management investments to achieve the SEQ Healthy Waterways vision are developed, refined and applied.
• Stakeholder decision making supported through provision of access to knowledge, information and decision support tools.

The ongoing services provided by the Science and Innovation Program include:

Knowledge and Information:

To inform the development and implementation of management and monitoring initiatives that focus on: 

• understanding the effects of different flow regimes and corresponding nutrient and sediment loads on South East Queensland’s waterways and water storages
• addressing knowledge gaps relevant to the reduction of diffuse source pollution loads arising from both urban and non-urban areas
• developing and refining appropriate aquatic ecosystem management performance indicators (bio-physical, social, economic and institutional) identifying and responding to emerging aquatic ecosystem issues, including those arising from climate change and issues related to human health.

Decision Support Tools (Modelling):

To underpin good waterway and catchment management through:

• development and implementation of the Healthy Waterways Management Strategy Evaluation modelling framework
• building stakeholder awareness of, and capacity to use decision support tools and their ability interpret their outputs.

Knowledge Interface, Access and Communication:

To support stakeholder decision making through provision of access to knowledge, information and decision support tools, and communication of results through the:

• development of Health-e-Waterways, a data integration system
• effective communication of scientific principles and research results to stakeholders, including the wider community, in collaboration with the Communication, Education and Motivation Program.