The first five-year phase  of the Program was completed in 1998. This preliminary phase focussed on improving our understanding of the causes of dryland salinity and established a collaborative, national focus for salinity research, development and extension investment.

A larger, second five-year phase concluded in 2004. This phase continued to identify and research the knowledge gaps in our understanding of the causes and impacts of dryland salinity, with a strong focus on developing practical, profitable and sustainable solutions and establishing wider networks.

It also investigated socio-economic arrangements that encourage or impede appropriate management of salinity, new production options using saline resources and integrated management of saline landscapes. NDSP provided a national forum for exchange of knowledge and building links and providing governments, communities and individuals with the information and technology required to manage dryland salinity in Australia.

Much of this work is now being continued by the Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinityand the Land, Water & Wool sub-program Sustainable Grazing on Saline Lands (SGSL).

Since the establishment of the second phase of NDSP, several significant changes have occurred within the environment in which the Program operates. These changes provide very different political, financial and scientific challenges and opportunities than those faced by the NDSP even as recently as 1998.

Research themes

NDSP managed dryland salinity research, development and extension investments under seven key Program themes.

• Theme 1 - Audit and monitoring
• Theme 2 - Industries
• Theme 3 - Infrastructure management
• Theme 4 - Policy and operating environment
• Theme 5 - Regional and community initiatives
• Theme 6 - Productive use of saline resources
• Theme 7 - Environmental protection and rehabilitation

Go to NDSP Phase 2 Projects  for more information about the themes and research projects.