How can optimised data for the Birrarung Yarra River be used as a key input to decision making for the catchment?
This project involves PhD research into the use of data optimisation tools on currently available river health data (including water quality) to develop an understanding of the river's current state. Available data is from various stakeholders including Melbourne Water (Yarra Watch, Healthy Waterway Strategy), the Environmental Protection Agency (Yarra Watch), Waterwatch Victoria, Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (Victoria's Water Measurement Information System), Port Phillip Bay Eco Centre, and various other community groups. This project seeks to model the Birrarung Yarra River as an interconnected system. That means incorporating a wide range of features that capture different dimensions of river health, and looking for patterns across space and time. We will use Machine Learning, a branch of Artificial Intelligence that identifies patterns in data, to evaluate river health and detect the conditions associated with its degradation.
Regen Melbourne is co-supervising this PhD as an industry partner and in partnership with OPTIMA ARC Training Centre and Monash University. Outcomes from the research will inform the Swimmable Birrarung Earthshot and our portfolio of interventions.
The PhD commenced in May 2025 and is currently in the literature review phase. Throughout the course of the PhD, we will publish accessible learnings from the research.
Leilah Taouk commences PhD
Research, guides, and stories from the work underway.
