The vital importance of water to Australia’s wealth will be debated when political, business and industry leaders meet with academics at a national forum at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.

She may be qualified in agricultural science, with publications in water quality and aquatic ecology, but Dr Kath Bowmer is probably best known for her independent stance on water sharing and river management.

International honours have been bestowed on Charles Sturt University Professor of Irrigation Graeme Batten for his leading research into the rapid, reliable and low cost analysis technique which has revolutionised crop management.

The water reform debate highlighted in proposals by the “Wentworth Group” of leading Australian water scientists fails to recognise and capitalise on the variety of water uses along the Murray River.

State-of-the-art rural health facilities and a library and information technology centre have been announced as part of a $20 million proposal to significantly expand Charles Sturt University’s Thurgoona Campus.

The protection of one Australia’s most valuable crops, canola, from potentially crippling diseases is the focus of research by a leading plant pathologist at Charles Sturt University,

The 2003 Biotechnology Innovation Festival gets underway tomorrow as Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga City Council and Biotechnology Australia highlight the various aspects of biotechnology.

A leading irrigation expert is calling for the consumer to be involved in the on-going water allocation debate in Australia.

Dates: Thursday 13 November 2003 Venue: C D Blake Lecture Theatres, Charles Sturt University Thurgoona Campus, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.