In 2008 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) adopted a National Hydrologic Modelling Strategy, with eWater Source as the National Hydrology Modelling Platform.
The National Hydrology Modelling Strategy (NHMS) arose in response to the findings of a Federal and State government commissioned review into Australia’s hydrology modelling tools. This review, undertaken by Dr Don Blackmore and Dr Ian Prosser, found that Australia’s hydrology modelling tools needed significant modernisation and increased functionality if they were to meet future needs. Also, existing efforts were fragmented, with various water management agencies developing their own tools.
A core feature of the NHMS was the adoption of eWater Source as the National Hydrology Modelling Platform (NHMP).
eWater Source was chosen for the following characteristics:
- modern tools and the best available research
- relevance for all aspects of water quantity, quality and the environment
- applicable for all regions of Australia
- adaptability to include new policy, drivers, or knowledge
- flexibility and capacity to link to new and existing models and other information systems
- supported by documented methods, guidelines, training and a community of practice.
In 2018, the NHMS 2008 was revised and refreshed through the National Collaboration Framework. Resulting in COAG signing the NHMS Collaborative Head Agreement, which reiterated the aims of the NHMS, including eWater Source as the national platform.
COAG NHMS Report
Updated Draft NHMS