Marine and Coastal Hub research overview 1: Regional planning in northern Australia (2025). National Environmental Science Program.
Overview
Northern Australia is a place of significant economic opportunity and the growth of existing and new industries – agriculture, grazing, mining, energy, and tourism – is linked to community wellbeing.
Economic development requires adopting a comprehensive approach that considers people, culture, the environment and the economy through effective planning, development assessment, management and community engagement.
Research is needed to facilitate such sustainable development in northern Australia. It will provide a knowledge base for decisions based on robust scientific data, relevant information, and community aspirations.
Marine and Coastal Hub research focuses on improving methods for regional planning, development assessment and engagement through:
• improved Indigenous outcomes;
• better governance; and
• comprehensive regional datasets.
This two-page fact sheet presents summaries of hub research in these areas, brief project examples and outcomes for research users.
