The Reef and Rainforest Research Centre is proud to be announced as the host of one of four ‘mega’ research hubs in the next phase of Australia’s National Environmental Science Program (NESP).

The Australian Government is backing a new era of environmental science, announcing the universities and research centres that will host four ‘mega’ research hubs in the next phase of Australia’s National Environmental Science Program (NESP).

Research will be prioritised to meet the most pressing environmental management and policy needs, with an emphasis on climate adaptation, threatened species, protected places, and waste impacts.

The Reef and Rainforest Research Centre will host the Marine and Coastal Hub, in collaboration with the University of Tasmania, and will be jointly led by Professor Damien Burrows from James Cook University and Associate Professor Alan Jordan from the University of Tasmania. This Hub will deliver research to underpin the management of Australia’s marine and coastal environments harnessing a broad range of research expertise, across estuaries, coast, reefs, shelf and deep-water environments.

Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley said the new structure will bring together an exciting range of scientists in each field along with ‘on-ground’ stakeholders and Traditional Owners to tackle our most complex environmental challenges.

“We are investing a further $149 million in a flexible approach across the new hubs that informs policy and drives shared learning,” Minister Ley said. “It is an investment that will build on the $145 million funding to date that has seen almost 400 successful science projects that are shaping policy and delivering practical environmental outcomes.

“From award winning research into shellfish reef restoration, to Crown of Thorns Starfish control, DNA ‘tracking’ of threatened species, and collaborations with international technology companies to support remote ecosystems in Kakadu, the first phase of NESP has been breathtaking.

“Over the next 7 years, the next phase of the program will see larger hubs, working collaboratively across our four priority issues, while researching practical, environmental science strategies within their own field.”

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