National Science Week is a time to spotlight innovative achievements at Melbourne Water
The annual National Science Week 2023 is a celebration of science and technology, and an opportunity to recognise the outstanding scientific achievements that are happening around Melbourne Water.
From Saturday August 12 to Sunday August 20, National Science Week will descend on Melbourne Water, with a line-up of stories to highlight our important work and shared responsibility to protect the health of our waterways – now and for the generations to come.
National Science Week stories
The line-up features Melbourne Water’s Waterwatch Coordinator, Naomi Dart, and Manager of Waterways and Wetlands Research, Rhys Coleman, setting out groundbreaking projects to protect 25,000 kilometres of waterways while enhancing biodiversity habitats, lifestyle and community connection.
Also, we uncover how they are identifying precious freshwater ecosystems using game-changing DNA technology and explore how smart innovations are tracking litter waste before it travels into our precious waterways to address key issues impacting the bay.
Naomi Dart: Marine biologist with a purpose
For Naomi, wet feet is just part of the job – as is raising community awareness to protect our waterways for the elusive platypus. After developing an early affinity with the underwater world, she soon set her sights set on marine biology.
Rhys Coleman: Enthusiasm for nature and good science
Rhys is working with smart technologies to meet the challenges of climate change and population growth. Rhys spent his early years surrounded in nature, and Environmental Science was a career he has dreamt about since childhood.
Protecting our waterways with innovative technologies
Protecting our precious natural resources matters more than ever before. Melbourne Water is taking urgent steps to improve the health of our waterways and catchments to boost populations of threatened wildlife and safeguard greater Melbourne’s unique biodiversity.
Smart technologies helping to protect our waterways
Melbourne Water is helping to improve waterway health alongside Diamond Creek with smart Bigbelly solar bins – to track litter waste before it travels into our precious waterways.
This year’s theme, Innovation: Powering Future Industries, highlights the emergence of groundbreaking technology to critically understand, promote, and maintain healthy waterways amid an increasing population and climate change.
“Our waterways are precious. Investing in digital technology enables us to connect the community with our work in their local environment,” said Waterwatch Coordinator Naomi Dart.
The centrepiece to improve the management and monitoring of our rivers, creeks, and waterways is the Healthy Waterways Strategy and Wetlands Research Program, which is part of an integrated partnership approach established to guide Melbourne Water in tackling this challenge to optimise waterway health and wetland research across greater Melbourne.
Melbourne Water draws inspiration and knowledge through meaningful partnerships with the University of Melbourne and RMIT University to optimise the value of Melbourne Water’s investment in waterways and wetlands research.
“While Melbourne Water continues to meet the needs of all Melburnians today through delivery of our essential services, we are working with the future in mind, using the smarts of our people, the value of our partnerships and new technologies to adopt creative solutions to the challenges we face,” said Manager of Waterways and Wetlands Research, Rhys Coleman.
There is plenty more on offer across the week, including a range of educational videos and fun activities.
Media contact
Sandra Aloi, Senior Media Advisor
0417 894 115
[email protected]