National Estuaries Network

What is the NEN

The National Estuaries Network (NEN) is a key mechanism for linking estuarine decision makers with scientists. Download NEN poster.

Aim

The fundamental aim of the NEN is to improve natural resource management and environmental conservation of Australia’s estuaries.

Membership

The NEN comprises estuary managers from each Australian state and territory as well as invited estuary researchers. The group is made up of (but not restricted to) people who have direct influence over the management of estuaries in each state/territory. In particular, the group comprises those managers who are responsible for translating scientific knowledge into management decisions. The members tend not to be high–level policy makers or on–ground researchers but the key people in between.

Meetings

The NEN meets twice yearly, with meetings hosted on a rotational basis by each state/territory. The meetings are held over three days with the first day providing an opportunity for members to update each other regarding their own jurisdiction and to discuss emerging and pressing estuary issues. The second day often involves a field trip organised by the host state. This gives the hosts an opportunity to showcase some of their estuarine issues in more detail and gives other NEN members a greater understanding of local and regional management issues. The final day is usually an open public forum, centring on a specific estuary–related theme. Specialists in that topic are invited to present. Anyone interested or involved in estuarine management and research is encouraged to attend and contribute to discussions arising from the presentations.

Background

The NEN was established in 2000 to oversee the estuarine assessment component of the National Land and Water Resources Audit (NLWRA). This assessment finished in 2002, however, the NEN continued because its members valued it as a way to exchange knowledge and ideas, initiate collaborative projects, and keep up to date with scientific research. The Coastal CRC sponsored and coordinated NEN meetings up until its closure in 2006. Since then, Geoscience Australia has coordinated NEN meetings. Many Coastal CRC projects benefited from input from the NEN, which acted as a stakeholder advisory group.

Previous Meetings

Port Stephens, 9 – 11 Apr, 2013
Hosted by: NSW Department of Primary Industries

Program:

Tuesday 20th May – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Thursday 11th April – NEN Science Symposium / Estuarine ecological risk assessment: frameworks and data needs


Brisbane, 20 – 22 Nov, 2012
Hosted by: CSIRO and Australian Coastal Ecosystem Facility

Program:

Tuesday 20th May – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Wednesday 21st Nov – NEN Field trips: Tour of flood affected areas (urban areas (Ipswich City Council) and rural area (SEQ Catchments), tour of Wivenhoe Dam (SEQ Water), and tour of flood affected areas (DSITIA)
Thursday 22nd Nov – NEN Science Symposium / Mini-conference: Ecosystem Disturbances


Hobart, 8 – 12 May, 2012
Hosted by: Tasmania Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment

Program:

Tuesday 8th May – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Wednesday 9th May – NEN Field trips: Boat tour of the “Huon-D’Entrecasteaux Channel-Derwent”
Thursday 10th May – NEN Science Symposium / Mini-conference: Research and Management of Tasmanian Estuaries


Townsville, 15 – 17 November, 2011
Hosted by: Queensland Dept of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation

Program:


Tuesday 15th November – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Wednesday 16th November – NEN Field trips: Hichinbrook Island Channel/Estuary Cruise / Town Common wetlands, Rowes Bay mangroves and Louisa Creek
Thursday 17th November – NEN Science Symposium / Mini-conference: Research and Management of North Queensland Estuaries


Perth, 24 – 26 May, 2011
Hosted by: WA Department of Water

Program:

Tuesday 24th May – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Wednesday 25th May – Public Symposium: Healthy estuaries – understanding ecological and physical processes

Thursday 26th May – Fieldtrip, Mandurah
Meeting agenda


Sydney, 30 November – 2 December, 2010
Hosted by: NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water

Program:

Tuesday 30th November – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Wednesday 1st December – Public Symposium: Challenges facing estuaries in the 21st century: A scientists perspective – Keynote Speaker: Professor Michael Kemp (University of Maryland) the Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney
Thursday 2nd December – Fieldtrip, Fort Dennison, Sydney Harbour


Darwin, 18 – 20 May 2010
Hosted by: NT Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts & Sport

Program:

Tuesday 18th May – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Wednesday 19th May – Mini Conference: Estuary Research & Management in the Top End
Thursday 20th May – Fieldtrip, Darwin Harbour


Melbourne, 11 – 13 November, 2009
Hosted by: VIC Department of Sustainability and Environment

Program:

Wednesday 11th November – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Thursday 12th November – Fieldtrip
Friday 13th November – Mini-conference featuring Victorian Estuaries


Canberra, 21 – 22 May, 2009
Hosted by: Geoscience Australia (ACT)

Program:

Thursday 21st May – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Friday 22nd May – National Level Programs: Estuaries Workshop
Theme: What’s happening at the National Level in Estuary Science and Management


Adelaide, 19 – 21 November, 2008
Hosted by: Department for Environment and Heritage (SA) and Environment Protection Authority (SA)

Program:

Wednesday 19th November – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Thursday 20th November – Fieldtrip – Barker Inlet, estuary management issues
Friday 21st November – Open Public Estuary Science Forum
Theme: Marine and Estuarine Biodiversity Conservation, Marine Protected Areas, and results of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLAMM) research group


Launceston, 13 – 15 May, 2008
Hosted by: NRM North (Tasmania), the Tasmanian Departments of Tourism, Arts & the Environment, and Primary Industries & Water

Program:

Tuesday 13 May – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Wednesday 14 May – Fieldtrip – Tamar River Estuary
Thursday 15 May – Open Public Forum, Showcasing Estuarine Research and Management in Tasmania. See details in flyer.


Brisbane, 13 – 15 November, 2007
Hosted by: The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency and Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries

Program:

Tuesday 13 November – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Wednesday 14 November – Fieldtrip – Moreton Bay and Logan River Estuary
Thursday 15 November – Open Public Forum, Assessing the Major Threats to EstuariesSee details in flyer.


Perth 29 – 31 May, 2007

Hosted by: The WA Department of Water

Program:

Tuesday 29 May – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Wednesday 30 May – Fieldtrip – Swan River Estuary
Thursday 31 May – Open Public Forum, Estuary Science for a Changing Climate. See details in flyer.


Sydney 8 – 10 November, 2006

Hosted by: The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change

Program:

Wednesday 8 November – NEN State/Territory Representatives Meeting
Thursday 9 May – Fieldtrip – Sydney Harbour
Thursday 31 May – Open Public Forum, Urban Impacts on EstuariesSee details in flyer.