About Us

In 2003 the CRC for Irrigation Futures linked together 15 partner organisations to examine critical issues in Australian irrigation - on farms, in the landscape and in society. The challenge the CRC for Irrigation Futures accepted was to undertake and deliver research, education and training that gives confidence to growers, industry, government, and communities to invest in better irrigation, a better environment and a better future.

CRC for Irrigation Futures VISION

Our vision for irrigation practice and water use in Australia is that by 2020, as a nation we will have:

• Defined and implemented the principles of sustainable irrigation practice in all environments
• Processes that resolve the water use compromises necessary for people's needs, the environment, production and amenity.

CRC for Irrigation Futures MISSION

We facilitate cooperative research and training networks and programs which continuously improve irrigation policy, tools, practices and processes to:

• double irrigation water use productivity
• improve profitability for commercial irrigation enterprises and
• protect and enhance landscapes and the environment

CRC for Irrigation Futures OBJECTIVES

CRC Program Objective 1: To enhance the contribution of long-term scientific and technological research and innovation to Australia's sustainable economic and social development
CRC for Irrigation Futures Objectives	Performance Measures
1.1 Develop a strong scientific basis for a suite of management and planning tools and policy options to optimise water use, maximise profitability, facilitate change, enhance the viability of communities and to protect soil and water condition and the dependent ecosystems	Documented adoption of the techniques developed by the Centre as well as a reduced environmental impact of irrigation
1.2 Through scientific understanding of irrigating with water of varying quality in various locations, develop opportunities for economic use and re-use of water within sustainability constraints	Increased use of recycled and lower quality water in irrigation accompanied by environmental safeguards and operating guidelines

CRC Program Objective 2: To enhance the transfer of research outputs into commercial or other outcomes of economic, environmental or social benefit to Australia
CRC for Irrigation Futures Objectives	Performance Measures
2.1 Develop and promote new technologies, methods, and systems for the irrigation sector	Recorded uptake of new and existing irrigation technologies by irrigators. Increased use of objective and systematic water scheduling, together with improved volumetric water measurement
2.2 Encourage and develop excellent communication and networking within the irrigation research community, and between researchers and the industry	Successful record of using seminars, workshops and a range of information distribution channels to inform the irrigation community. All sectors of the industry contributing to research, development and education priorities

CRC Program Objective 3:To enhance the value to Australia of graduate researchers
CRC for Irrigation Futures Objectives	Performance Measures
3.1 Devise and implement education and training programs that produce high quality researchers whose services are demanded by industry	Courses developed and graduates employed in Australia and internationally
3.2 Produce graduates who can contribute not only to research but to developing the capacity of the whole irrigation industry	Contribution of centre graduates recognised by the industry with fifty postgraduates completing courses over the life of the CRC

CRC Program Objective 4:To enhance collaboration among researchers, between researchers and industry or other users, and to improve efficiency in the use of intellectual and other research resources
CRC for Irrigation Futures Objectives	Performance Measures
4.1 High level and creative collaboration amongst the core partners of the CRC and the involvement, where appropriate, of scientists from outside of the CRC	Strong track record of collaboration on CRC projects between all participants and the industry with an ongoing commitment to collaboration after the life of the CRC
4.2 High level and creative collaboration and communication with all clients and stakeholders including the broader community	Involvement of the broad irrigation community in CRC activities, including all aspects of research from priority setting to implementation of results in the field

CRC for Irrigation Futures VALUES

• leadership
• Excellence
• Creativity and innovation
• Outcome focus
• Honesty and sensitivity
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Kool & funky