The Goyder Institute’s Ecohydrological Conceptual Models and Impact Pathway Diagrams (ECM) Project has been recognised as a finalist in the South Australia Australian Water Association (AWA) R&D Excellence Award, acknowledging its groundbreaking work in Transforming Environmental Impact Assessment.
Delivered through a collaboration between CSIRO, Flinders University and Adelaide University, the project was funded by South Australia’s Department for Environment and Water and Department of Energy and Mining. It focused on the Northern Eyre, Braemar, and Stuart Shelf regions, bringing together expertise in hydrogeology, ecology, and environmental assessment to help identify and communicate potential environmental impacts associated with mining development.
A cornerstone of the project’s success was its extensive engagement work, which placed collaboration at the heart of the research. Working alongside government agencies and industry, the team integrated vital contributions from the South Australian Arid Lands and Eyre Peninsula Landscape Boards, alongside First Nations representatives. By embedding First Nations cultural knowledge and regional insights into the process, the project ensured that water-dependent places were understood not just as ecological assets, but as sites of profound cultural importance. This inclusive approach helped bridge disciplinary boundaries, ensuring that community perspectives and cultural values were treated equitably rather than as secondary considerations.
The project produced a suite of ecohydrological conceptual models, impact pathway diagrams and supporting factsheets designed to help regulators, industry and communities better understand how mining activities may interact with water-dependent environments. By translating complex science into practical, visual tools shaped by diverse stakeholder input, the project provides a strong foundation for more informed environmental planning and decision-making.
The recognition comes at a time when the project team is also celebrating the publication of a peer-reviewed paper based on the work:
Thomas, H., Peeters, L., Shanafield, M., Castellazzi, P., London, A., Werner, A.D. and Holland, K. (2026). Ecohydrological conceptual models and impact pathway diagrams for identifying and communicating environmental impacts in an arid landscape. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. Publication link
The paper outlines the approach developed through the project and highlights how conceptual models and impact pathway diagrams can support both environmental assessment and stakeholder engagement in arid regions.
Congratulations to the project team and partners on this well-deserved recognition. Being named an SA AWA R&D Excellence Award finalist and publishing in a leading international journal reflects the quality of the science, the strength of the collaboration, and the project’s ongoing contribution to sustainable resource development in South Australia.
