Current Peter Cullen Scholarship winners (L to R):
Celine Steinfeld, James Hitchcock, Daniela Cortez
and Eytan Rocheta.
Photo courtesy of
NSW DPI Office of Water
UTS Peter Cullen Scholarship holders, James Hitchcock (2010) and Daniela Cortez (2011), presented their research at NSW Parliament House recently ahead of the announcement of the 2012 winner Eytan Rocheta from UNSW.
James and Daniela, together with the 2009 recipient Celine Steinfeld, gave presentations to the Minister of Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson and the CEOs from the NSW Office of Water, Sydney Water, Sydney Catchment Management Authority, State Water, Hunter Water.
The postgraduate scholarship honours the late Professor Peter Cullen AO FTSE, a significant contributor to water policy and water management in Australia and NSW. The scholarship aims to improve the understanding of how rivers, groundwater, wetlands and estuaries function, and respond to enhanced management, and to strengthen the linkages between aquatic science and water management in NSW.
James’ research into the impact of environmental flows to estuaries in the Bega and Clyde Rivers will assist in developing a greater understanding of the linkages between freshwater inputs and food web productivity.
“With all the rain over the last two years, we’ve been able to develop an in depth understanding of how food web metabolism and productivity shifts and changes after freshwater inflows to estuaries. It’s great to be able to present these results and build stronger ties between science and water management in NSW,” he said.
Information gathered from Daniela’s research into the impact of water sharing plans on the ecology of unregulated coastal rivers will assist the NSW Government on decisions surrounding access to water during low flow periods.
"Science needs to provide rigorous and robust scientific evidence to support water management and policy. The Peter Cullen Scholarship provides a unique opportunity to work with experts, managers and policy makers in the one domain. I feel privileged and honoured to be conducting research which will make positive changes for the environment and its water users" Daniela said.
Daniela is collaborating with the NSW Office of Water on her project to provide scientific evidence to directly inform policy.
About the Peter Cullen Postgraduate Scholarship (opens an external site).
Marea Martlew
