August 2007

• Geoscience Australia celebrates National Science Week
• New interactive data on coastal website

Geoscience Australia celebrates National Science Week

Celebrating National Science Week on Sunday 26 August, Geoscience Australia is opening its doors to the community to showcase a diverse range of work activities.

Members of the public can discover how earthquakes are detected, pan for gold, tour the building, view Australia in 3D, become a seafloor detective and talk to the people who work for Australia's national geoscience research organisation. There's something for everyone.

"The continued success of Open Day is due largely to all the staff who generously volunteer their time every year," said Deputy CEO Dr Chris Pigram.

"The increasing number of visitors demonstrates the public's sincere interest in the innovative and relevant work that Geoscience Australia carries out. The number of visitors has increased by 110 per cent over the past four years, from 1400 in 2003 to 2946 in 2006."

When: Sunday 26 August 2007, 10am - 4pm

Where: Cnr of Jerrabomberra Avenue and Hindmarsh Drive, Symonston ACT.

Cost: Free

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New interactive data on coastal website

Scientists, natural resources manager's and community members can now access the largest central source of coastal information and data in Australia, the OzCoast and OzEstuaries website.

Previously called OzEstuaries, and used in more than 70 countries, the website now provides access to more coastal and estuary data and information.

The new data and information can be used to improve natural resource management and for the conservation of Australia's coastal zone, estuaries and near-shore environments.

The latest version of the website includes a new Geology and Geomorphology (the study of landforms) module with 3D models and case studies, an Environmental Management module and new and updated fact sheets (Indicators module).

The Environmental Management module (derived from the Coastal CRC product OzCoast) shows how data, planning and participation processes can be used in developing, implementing and reviewing catchment and coastal plans.

Maps, images, reports and data can be downloaded to assist scientists, natural resources manager's and policy organisations with estuary and coastal management. You can now even build your own conceptual model.

For the wider community, there are fact sheets about the science underpinning estuary and coastal indicators and issues.

Sitting under the Geoscience Australia banner, the website was designed with input from more than 40 agencies including government, universities and the National Estuaries Network. The former Cooperative Research Centre for Coastal Zone, Estuary & Waterway Management and National Land and Water Resources Audit team coordinated communication between agencies.

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