• Gulbali Institute launched in Albury-Wodonga with opening of the Aquatic Research Facility 
• The Aquatic Research Facility is a 150-square-metre laboratory with two hyperbaric chambers, recirculating culture systems, otolith laboratory and microscope 
• The event was attended by Charles Sturt’s Vice-Chancellor, Interim Executive Director of the Gulbali Institute and Albury-Wodonga, Member for Albury Justin Clancy and researchers 

Charles Sturt University has launched the Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment in Albury-Wodonga with the official opening of the Aquatic Research Facility. 

The Gulbali Institute is focused on creating impactful research designed to deliver real-world solutions to influence farm productivity, agricultural and environmental management and climate change resilience and adaption. 

The institute will also build on existing partnerships and complement other Charles Sturt initiatives, including the Next Gen Water Engineering and River Management Hub, the Environmental Water Projects, the newly announced One Basin CRC and National Acoustics Network. 

The event in Albury-Wodonga on Tuesday showcased the Gulbali Institute to key stakeholders and demonstrated some of the projects and facilities that are grounded in the Murray-Darling Basin. Artwork by local artist, Tracie MacVean, was also unveiled. 

The Aquatic Research Facility is a 150-square-metre laboratory that supports research on fisheries ecology, breeding and behaviour, hydropower and irrigation infrastructure impacts on fish migration, fish passage solutions and dish screening technologies. 

The facility features two hyperbaric chambers, a shear flume and screen-testing flume, an otolith saw and microscope and specially designed aquaria for running behaviour-choice trials. There are eight 1,500-litre recirculating culture systems and a 5,000-litre one for fish husbandry and breeding purposes. 

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon said the Gulbali Institute will help the University achieve the research goals it has set as part of the University Strategy 2030. 

“The launch of the Gulbali Institute is an important milestone building on our strengths in applied research in agriculture, water and environment,” Professor Leon said. 

“Impactful research is one of the cornerstones of the University’s standing as Australia’s leading regional university and we’re focused on delivering outcomes that will foster prosperous regional communities.”   

Professor Lee Baumgartner has been announced as the Interim Executive Director of the Gulbali Institute and said he is looking forward to the research collaborations that will emerge from the institute, particularly in Albury-Wodonga, to complement existing University initiatives.  

The Gulbali Institute will highlight Charles Sturt’s vision to grow research by 2030 with our academics leading in integrated agriculture, water and environment research to deliver benefits nationally and globally. 

Professor Baumgartner said this facility will allow researchers based in Albury-Wodonga to contribute to the goals of the Institute in a meaningful way. 

“The Gulbali Institute was designed to build on Charles Sturt University’s existing strengths and this facility will allow staff and students in Albury-Wodonga to contribute to the overall goals of the institute, while also solving agriculture, water and environment issues in this area,” he said. 

“We are excited and privileged to have these distinguished guests, including the Member for Albury Justin Clancy and AlburyCity Mayor Cr Kylie King, visit the facility and get first-hand demonstrations of the impactful research we are undertaking. 

“This launch is a commitment to collaboration and innovation that will benefit the Murray-Darling area as well as projects and initiatives of a national and global scale.” 

Member for Albury the Hon. Justin Clancy said he was excited to have Charles Sturt contribute to meaningful projects and research from within the Albury-Wodonga region. 

“This is an exciting time for our university at Thurgoona,” Mr Clancy said. 

“Healthy river systems are fundamental to our life in this region of Australia, and it is great to see an expansion of research right here, helping to produce meaningful data and insights of benefits not just locally but nationally and internationally. 

“The Gulbali Institute will complement existing research facilities at Charles Sturt University, further driving the pursuit of excellence and the opportunities that arise for students, staff and industry which can thrive at Charles Sturt in Albury-Wodonga.”