01-10-2003

The most up-to-date, comprehensive collection of natural resource and salinity management modelling tools and frameworks is now available as a single electronic resource.

The 'Practical Index of Salinity Models' CD-ROM was launched today by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Warren Truss, to an audience of more than 220 natural resource managers, farmers and scientists during the Productive Use and Rehabilitation of Saline Lands (PUR$L) conference, currently underway at Yeppoon, in Queensland.

The CD-ROM is a product of the Australian Government's $1.4 billion National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. The resource was prepared for the National Action Plan by URS Australia with support from Australia's National Dryland Salinity Program (NDSP) and Land & Water Australia.

Mr Truss said regional natural resource managers would welcome the release of the resource.

"The Practical Index of Salinity Models provides information on over 90 tools, models and frameworks that can assist in natural resource management and planning at the regional scale," Mr Truss said. "These models allow regional planners to investigate different natural resource and salinity investment options in a comparatively cheap computer environment before they invest in the real world."

The 9th PUR$L national conference is being held from 29 September to 2 October and is dedicated to finding and discussing positive solutions to the degradation threatened by salinity and deteriorating water quality. The conference theme is 'Salinity under the sun - investing in prevention and rehabilitation of salinity in Australia.'

The Practical Index of Salinity Models is free and can be ordered from Canprint, Freecall 1800 776 616 (quote product number ECO30615).

For further information please contact:

Please contact Land & Water Australia
Email: land&wateraustralia@lwa.gov.au
Phone: 02 6263 6000