WORKSHOP TO FOCUS ON WATER NEEDS OF REMOTE COMMUNITIES

We all need access to safe water to drink and wash. In a city or town, it's as simple as turning on a tap. But how good is the water supply available to Australians living in remote areas - especially Indigenous Australians?

Quality is important, but what about quantity? Is it as important to have sufficient water for washing and basic hygiene, or just high quality water for drinking? What needs to be done to improve water for people living in remote areas? Reliability of supply, provision of infrastructure and maintenance are also key questions for policy makers.

A workshop opens in Alice Springs tomorrow to consider these issues and more, jointly hosted by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Water Quality and Treatment.

Called Water and Public Health in Regional and Rural Australia, the two-day workshop will identify strategic water related research priorities that affect public health in regional and rural Australia, including their impact on Indigenous people.

Professor Bursill, CRC CEO says "To improve health, we need to provide adequate and wholesome water, and we need effective collaboration to do this.

"The workshop is bringing together policy makers, practitioners and consumers from across the health and water sectors. We aim to form partnerships that will allow people from these areas to work together."

This workshop came about as a result of discussion between Professor Nick Saunders (Chair, NHMRC), Dr Jack Best, (Chair, NHMRC's Strategic Research Development Committee), and Professor Bursill. Professor Saunders said the workshop would be an important 'window' into what future research needs are in this important area.

The workshop will be held at the Rydges Plaza Resort, Alice Springs. Media are welcome to attend from 12 noon Tuesday. Don Bursill is available for interview from 3.30pm Monday 26th August.