About us
The Centre for Freshwater Ecosystems (CFE) brings together a wealth of expertise in freshwater science and water management to understand and help solve the significant challenges in sustaining healthy freshwater ecosystems.
Our work directly supports decision-making regarding maintenance and restoration of the long-term health of rivers, catchments, floodplains and wetlands and is founded on a long history of research under the auspices of The Murray–Darling Freshwater Research Centre.
Our regional location provides ready access to field sites across the southern Murray–Darling Basin and a vital connection with local communities. We have well-established lab facilities in Albury–Wodonga and we benefit from strong links with the University’s campuses in Melbourne, Bendigo and Shepparton, as well as many other collaborators.
Find out more about our department's research.
Our vision
Our vision is for a world where freshwater ecosystems, rivers, catchments, floodplains and wetlands are healthy, native species thrive and resources are used sustainably.
Our mission
To lead the way for healthy and sustainable freshwater ecosystems through innovation and excellence in research and education.
Our strategy
- Knowledge generation and synthesis
- Policy and management impact
- Education and training
- Research excellence
- Operational excellence.
Strategic Plan 2019-2023 [PDF 2MB]
Our cultural qualities
- Connected – We're connecting the communities we serve.
- Innovative – We're tackling the major environmental issues of our time to transform aquatic ecosystems.
- Accountable – We strive for excellence in everything we do, holding each other to account and working to the highest standards.
- Care – We care about each other, what we do and why we do it because we believe in the power of education and research transform lives and global society.