WaterRA has taken another major step toward shaping the future of Australia’s water research landscape, hosting a highly engaging online workshop to progress the development of the Water Research Outlook—a foundational reference designed to guide research, organisational strategy, and long-term planning across the sector.
Set to become one of WaterRA’s most influential strategic tools, the Water Research Outlook will help ensure that the Australian water sector remains alert to emerging risks, prepared for disruptive shifts, and positioned to harness new opportunities in a rapidly changing world.
A collaborative session shaping the future of water research
The online workshop brought together members, researchers, utilities, and partners from across Australia to:
- Review and understand the draft Water Research Outlook
- Discuss research priorities arising from key themes
- Set the direction for development of the supporting Research Roadmap
- Participants explored global drivers and trends, sector‑specific challenges, and Australia’s unique context—collectively shaping a draft set of eight Big Challenges that will guide future research, innovation and impact.
The Eight Big Challenges for Water Research
These challenges represent the core research and innovation priorities that will shape WaterRA’s agenda over the coming years:
- SOURCE | Protecting Australia’s water sources and vulnerable catchments
- HEALTH | Safeguarding human and environmental health through advancing science and technology
- CIRCULARITY | Recovering resources and enabling a circular, sustainable water future
- DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION | Using intelligent systems and data-driven tools to transform water management
- RESILIENCE | Building adaptable, reliable assets and a future-ready workforce
- EQUITY | Ensuring access, affordability, and inclusion for all communities
- STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE | Strengthening foresight, integrated planning, policy, and governance models
- WATER ECONOMICS | Understanding future economics and pathways to sustainable system models
These challenges sit at the heart of the Research Outlook. Over the coming period, WaterRA will be mapping research gaps, defining priority areas, and identifying pathways to build national capability and sector-wide resilience.
What comes next?
WaterRA is now entering the next phase of refinement. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be:
- Finalising and releasing the Water Research Outlook to members
- Developing the accompanying Research Roadmap
- Scheduling planning workshops and collaboration events
- Initiating the design of new research projects aligned with priority needs
These activities will be undertaken with continued member involvement to ensure the Research Outlook reflects the needs of the entire sector and drives high-impact, collaborative research.
Stay connected and be part of the conversation
We encourage all members, partners and stakeholders to stay involved as we move into this exciting next stage.
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For any questions—or to explore opportunities to contribute to the Research Outlook, Roadmap, or future projects—please contact us or reach out to your local WaterRA Research Manager.