A UNIQUE project aimed at visualising Victoria’s groundwater resource has won the University of Ballarat a state award.
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Visualising Victoria’s Groundwater (VVG) project has been named the winner of the Victorian iAward for the regional category.
The project’s lead researcher, Peter Dahlhaus, said the $2.23 million project was important for the management of a resource that may become scarce.
“Groundwater is used for town water supply,” Dr Dahlhaus said.
“It also supports a lot of environmental assets like lakes, wetland and rivers.
“So the correct management of groundwater is very important.”
Dr Dahlhaus said the initiative could only be possible with high-speed broadband.
“It utilises new technologies and high-speed broadband capabilities to capture, aggregate and spatially depict Victoria’s groundwater systems for public access and sustainable development and management,” he said.
The project is a first for Australia, offering real-time visualisation of a resource normally invisible to the public.
“It is important to know about sustainable management of this resource ... particularly because of changing climate,” Dr Dahlhaus said. “If we go to a dryer landscape, as predicted, this project will
become more important.”
eCommerce and Communications director Helen Thompson said the award demonstrated the university’s progress in digital futures, knowledge management and eResearch.
“The project will continue to evolve, thanks to the support of dedicated and skilled staff at the University of Ballarat, the VVG partner organisations and end-users, including water authorities, consultants and farming enterprises.
“Congratulations go in particular to the lead researcher, Dr Peter Dahlhaus, and Andrew MacLeod, the technology lead with the Centre for eCommerce and Communications.”
The iAwards honour the information and communications technology industry’s finest by recognising achievements and innovation.
The university is now a 2013 national finalist and will compete against all Australian state and territory winners for the national Regional iAward on August 8.
neelima.choahan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
