With over 340 people in attendance, the 2015 Australian Groundwater Conference was adjudged a great success.

The Flinders-based National Centre for Groundwater Research  and Training  and International Association of Hyrogeologists delivered a conference complete with over 240 oral presentations, plenary and keynote presentations, panel sessions and posters showcasing the latest research and innovation in groundwater in Australia.

Opening the conference, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, said the government was committed to managing Australia’s groundwater resources sustainably and with long-term vision.

“Groundwater is a precious resource, and provides more than 30 per cent of Australia’s total water use—in addition to generating significant economic activity,” Minister Ruston said.

“We need to ensure that all water users can continue to share in the economic, social and environmental benefits of well-managed groundwater resources for generations to come.

There was an array of interdisciplinary and specialist talks which spanned across the conference themes. The panel discussions, and the Q&A time after presentations provided a robust platform to address critical groundwater issues. The conference highlighted that a national conversation must continue and the IAH and NCGRT will look at ways to facilitate this.