A critical water source for vast areas of the Northern Territory is drying at an accelerating rate, according to new findings, with losses clearly visible from space.
The Cambrian Limestone Aquifer (CLA) is a large, interconnected limestone system containing high-quality groundwater that supports numerous Northern Territory rivers, towns, Indigenous communities, pastoral enterprises, and irrigated agriculture.
But the findings, published in a new study led by Griffith University researchers, show the aquifer has experienced significant water loss since 2014, reaching its lowest recorded storage level in 2021 (the end of the study period).
The satellite analysis confirmed changes for the wet (December-March) and relatively dry (June-August) seasons during the 2003–2011 and 2011–2022 periods.
The study draws on two decades of data (2002-2022), including ground-based bore monitoring from the Bureau of Meteorology and remote sensing from multiple satellites.
Among them, NASA’s GRACE satellite – used to track groundwater depletion globally – detects subtle changes in Earth’s gravity, indicating how much water has been lost underground.
“While CLA water levels remained stable from 2002 to 2013, the research shows a steep decline in both groundwater and surface water features – such as springs and wetlands – between 2011 and 2022.
“These declines correlate with increased extraction following the approval of large irrigation licences near Mataranka in 2013, and are concerning given recent development of fracking sites in the Beetaloo Basin, which will also draw upon the aquifer.”
Dr Christopher Ndehedehe
The research team found the aquifer was taking longer to recover from dry periods, with drought recovery times stretching from under five months in 2014 to over 15 months by 2021.
Study authors Professor Matthew Currell and Dr Christopher Ndehedehe.
This drying trend occurred despite fewer severe droughts during the 2011-2022 period than in the previous decade.
“This research used multiple, independent sources of data, and shows that there is a serious risk of over-depletion of one of Australia’s most important aquifer systems if water extraction rates continue to increase”, said co-author, Professor Matthew Currell from the Australian Rivers Institute.
“Our findings raise concerns about the sustainability of groundwater regulation in the Northern Territoryamid rapidly expanding agriculture and gas developments,” Dr Ndehedehe said.
“We need improved water regulation, and our findings highlight how satellite-based monitoring can fill critical data gaps to better inform water management strategies.”
This study follows growing public scrutiny over the future of the CLA, as seen in the ABC Four Corners investigation ‘Water Grab’ (August 2025), which spotlighted risks to rivers, ecosystems, and communities with insights from the Griffith research team.
Griffith Asia Institute (GAI) and the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) marked the 20th anniversary of their landmark public lecture series, Perspectives:Asia, with a special event on Thursday 24 July at the Gallery’s South Bank venue.
Since its inception in 2005 as a joint initiative between GAI and QAGOMA’s Australian Centre of Asia Pacific Art (ACAPA), Perspectives:Asia has provided a vital platform for public engagement on Australia’s relationship with the Asia-Pacific. Over two decades, the series has welcomed a diverse range of voices—artists, academics, diplomats and thought leaders—to explore regional issues through cultural, political and social lenses.
The anniversary event reflected on the series’ legacy while looking to the future. Griffith University Vice Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans opened the evening by highlighting the important role that institutions like GAI and QAGOMA play in building understanding across cultures.
Professor Caitlin Byrne, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) and former GAI Director, moderated a dynamic panel discussion featuring four long-time contributors to the series:
Professor Michael Wesley, who founded Perspectives:Asia in 2005 during his tenure as GAI Director
Professor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA, author and founding editor of Griffith Review
Chris Saines CNZM, Director of QAGOMA
Professor Christoph Nedopil, current GAI Director
Each speaker shared reflections on how the series has evolved alongside Australia’s shifting regional engagement. From its early focus on fostering cultural literacy to more recent conversations around geopolitical transformation, the series has remained a space for diverse perspectives and robust public dialogue. Professor Nedopil described the series as:
“A platform that continues to inform, challenge and inspire as the region enters a new era of geopolitical, environmental, and social transformation.”
As Australia navigates new regional challenges, GAI and QAGOMA reaffirmed their commitment to continuing Perspectives:Asia—bringing fresh ideas and critical conversations to the public stage.
Whales are swimming further than previously estimated – up to 20 per cent more – according to a new study published in Ecology.
Co-authored by Griffith University’s Dr Olaf Meynecke, the study reveals traditional methods for calculating animal movement may be drastically underestimating the actual distance travelled, particularly for marine species such as whales.
“For years, we’ve tracked whales using satellite tags, plotting their movements across oceans,” Dr Meynecke said.
“But this research shows we’ve been looking at only part of the picture.”
Dr Olaf Meynecke.
The study, led by a multidisciplinary team of global researchers from the University of Connecticut, Smithsonian Institute and Pontific University of Ecuador, underlines the notion that animal movement isn’t confined to flat maps.
Marine animals such as whales move in three dimensions – across the surface and up and down through the water column.
By integrating geodesy (the science of Earth’s shape) with animal tracking data, the researchers revealed the curvature of the Earth and diving behaviour significantly extend the total distance travelled.
Using satellite data from the Whales & Climate Program’s longest continuous humpback whale track from Ecuador to near Antarctica, the team compared two methods of measuring distance: a standard surface track of approximately 6,658km and a revised, 3D geodesic estimate that factored in average dive depths and speed.
The result was an additional 1,055km or about 16 per cent more distance covered.
“For humpback whales migrating between South American breeding grounds and Antarctic feeding areas, that could mean covering up to 14,000km in a single migration season.”
Dr Olaf Meynecke
“That’s seven times more than the average human travels in a year.
“These findings are more than just fascinating; they have real implications for how we understand the energy demands and ecological pressures on migrating species.
“If animals are expending more energy than previously estimated, we may be underestimating the ecological costs of migration and the impacts of environmental change.”
Creative outlets are often used as a stress management tool to recover from the 9-5, but when people turn their creative hobbies into a job, their pursuits may no longer be a safe haven from the stresses of life.
Dr Jacob Keech
Dr Jacob Keech from Griffith University’s School of Applied Psychology is investigating this trend as very little research has been conducted into how recovery can work for people working in the creative industries.
“In the past, we’ve seen people pursue hobbies which give us mastery or the ability to create things during non-work time,” Dr Keech said.
“But when our creative hobbies then become our livelihood, it makes it increasingly hard to switch off and recover from a day’s work.
“My team is actively recruiting for the study and is very interested to hear from people who work in the creative industries and who find it difficult to find alternative outlets for stress management.”
The aim of the study is to better understand state of stress and wellbeing in the creative industries and delve into strategies which can be beneficial for stress management.
This can include taking time to detach from our work and relax, having control of our non-work time, and finding sources of meaning in other pursuits.
Bachelor of Psychology Honours student Nicole Manns said: “Prior to studying psychology, I spent 15 years in the film industry, witnessing first-hand the struggles faced by creative individuals pursuing employment in a volatile industry that demands long hours, drawing upon personal experiences to create art.”
“In recent years, research has shown those working in the creative industries are at high risk of burnout and psychological distress,” Ms Manns said.
“We now need to understand what is driving these high rates, and how we can develop meaningful strategies to improve wellbeing.”
Dr Keech’s team would like to hear from people who are 18 years and over, and work in the creative industries including paid and unpaid roles, interns, and students.
For more information or to complete the short survey, click here.
Griffith University is proud to honour three exceptional women with Honorary Doctorates in recognition of their outstanding contributions in social policy reform and the Arts.
Dami Im (DUniv), Brianna Casey (DUniv), and Natasha Edwards (DUniv) have each made a significant impact within their communities and continue to strengthen their connection with Griffith through their inspiring work.
Dami Im (DUniv)
Australian music star Dami Im was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for her distinguished service to the Arts.
The graduating AEL cohort (Mid-year) was treated to a special performance with her 2016 Eurovision song Collide, to represent the new chapters of the graduates’ lives.
Born in South Korea, Ms Im immigrated to Australia at the age of nine and immersed herself in music by studying piano at the Young Conservatorium of Music from age 11.
She completed a Master of Music in Contemporary Voice majoring in Jazz at the Queensland Conservatorium.
“It’s very special to be back here full circle, wearing this very special gown and my whole family watching,” Ms Im said.
“I can’t believe it, I have to stop and think, wow, this is pretty awesome.”
Ms Im gained national recognition by winning the fifth season of The X Factor Australia in 2013, becoming the first Asian Australian to do so, with her debut single and album both topping the ARIA Charts.
A dedicated advocate for vulnerable children, Ms Im works with Compassion Australia and Destiny Rescue alongside her husband, sponsoring eight children globally and has performed charity concerts to raise funds and inspire sponsorships.
In 2016, Ms Im was named Griffith’s Arts, Education and Law Young Alumnus of the Year.
She continues to engage with the Queensland Conservatorium, providing mentorship opportunities for students and alumni, and credits the institution for shaping her as a seasoned performer.
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans, Natasha Edwards (DUniv), Chancellor Andrew Fraser
Co-founder, Curator and Artistic Director of the SWELL Sculpture Festival, Natasha Edwards received an Honorary Doctorate for her distinguished service to the Arts, and to the southern Queensland community.
Ms Edwards founded SWELL, a nationally and internationally recognised free outdoor art event on the Gold Coast in 2002 and has since generated more than $7.8 million for the region.
She grew SWELL from 23 installations and 6,000 visitors to more than 125 artworks and 1.5 million visits, with more than $21 million worth of sculptures being exhibited free to the public.
Ms Edwards continues to foster strong ties with Griffith as she takes on interns, board roles, and collaborative initiatives such as Altered Tides with the Griffith Climate Action Beacon.
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans, Brianna Casey (DUniv), Chancellor Andrew Fraser
Brianna Casey was honoured for her distinguished service to food security advocacy and social policy reform.
She graduated from Griffith in 1999 with a Bachelor of Australian Environmental Studies, forging a remarkable career at the intersection of agri-politics, social justice, and public policy.
Ms Casey has more than 14 years in agri-politics and has held several high-impact roles including Policy Director at New South Wales Farmers and, interim CEO of the Queensland Farmers Federation at just 23 years old.
Upon returning to New South Wales Farmers, Ms Casey led both the Rural Affairs policy team focusing on social policy in regional and remote areas, and the Environment policy team addressing critical issues such as water policy, land use conflict, and landholder rights.
Her commitment to public welfare extended further when she became CEO of the Australian Childcare Alliance New South Wales, where she spent three years advocating for access to quality early childhood education.
In July 2016, Ms Casey was appointed CEO of Foodbank Australia, leading the country’s largest hunger-relief organisation.
Under her leadership, Foodbank sourced the equivalent of 92 million meals in 2024 alone.
Ms Casey’s contributions have been widely recognised, with accolades for her transformative leadership, civic service, and policy influence.
In 2024, she was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to social welfare, environmental conservation, and the community.
By Paige Borell
New research into the energy use of humpback whales during their annual migrations has found they lose 11,000kg of blubber – which is equivalent to the energy obtained after feeding on 57,000 kg of Antarctic krill – highlighting the importance of managing their krill-rich feeding grounds.
PhD Candidate Alexandre Bernier-Graveline.
PhD Candidate Alexandre Bernier-Graveline, from Griffith University’s Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program, led the study, using drones to monitor the body condition of 103 adult humpback whales in the southern hemisphere.
Mr Bernier-Graveline and the research team used data from the drone monitoring to determine the whales’ body conditions on their breeding ground in Colombia and on their feeding ground on the Western Antarctic Peninsula, a highly productive krill region of Antarctica.
Each adult whale lost about 36 per cent of its body condition during migration which is equivalent to:
12 cubic metres or 11,000kg of blubber (equivalent to the weight of a standard single-decker city bus or two adult African elephants)
5,000kg of fat
196 million kilojoules of energy (equivalent to the energy consumed by an average adult over 62 years)
57,000kg of krill
The researchers used drone photography and converted the pixel-based images into real-life measurements. Credit: Griffith University
“Southern hemisphere humpback whales depend on Antarctic krill for their annual energy requirements, fueling their long migrations between feeding and breeding grounds,” Mr Bernier-Graveline said.
“We found the whales were at their fattest in early autumn – March-May – and slimmest by late spring – August-December – showing a dramatic seasonal change in body condition.
“Our study quantifies the whales’ extreme ‘feast and fast’ lifestyle, and the critical role of Antarctic krill in their survival and migratory life-history strategy.”
Mr Bernier-Graveline said with the Antarctic sea-ice ecosystem rapidly changing, understanding migrating whales’ energy demands helped scientists assess how environmental changes – such as krill availability or climate shifts – could impact whale populations.
By linking migration and reproductive energy cost to krill biomass, the findings provided key ecological contexts for understanding how environmental changes such as krill population fluctuations could impact whale populations in the future.
The work was performed under an International Whaling Commission Southern Ocean Research Partnership grant, led by Professor Susan Bengtson Nash, together with researchers from Aarhus University, Denmark; The University of California Santa Cruz, and The University of Los Andes, Colombia.
Griffith University has unveiled its newest addition to the Gold Coast Campus – the state-of-the-art G12 Undergraduate Laboratories – reinforcing the University’s longstanding leadership in science education and environmental research.
Also colloquially known as the ‘Superlabs’, the newly developed facility features modern, multifunctional teaching laboratories designed to support undergraduate learning across key scientific disciplines including Environmental Science, Marine Science, Chemistry, Biology, and Health Sciences.
Griffith Sciences students with The Honourable Sam O’Connor MP and Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans.
The G12 building heralds a new era of integrated learning and research, reflecting Griffith’s commitment to preparing students for the future of science.
Griffith Sciences Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Neal Menzies, said the G12 launch highlighted Griffith’s continued evolution in providing world-class education and research facilities.
“Griffith has always placed strong emphasis on hands-on, inquiry-based science learning, and the G12 Undergraduate Laboratories take that to a new level,” Professor Menzies said.
“With flexible, high-capacity spaces that simulate real research environments, G12 bridges the gap between classroom learning and scientific application. It’s about ensuring our students graduate with the skills and experiences needed to thrive in industry and research.”
The facility comprises two primary teaching spaces: a 96-seat ‘super lab’ that can run simultaneous classes across disciplines such as Biology, Ecology, Chemistry and Marine Science, and a 60-seat advanced laboratory purpose-built for Environmental Science and more complex analytical tasks.
Together, they will support teaching for more than 2,000 undergraduate students across a suite of first-, second-, and third-year science courses.
Behind the scenes, a large preparation and chemical storage lab – staffed by technical teams – enables support for teaching and experimentation.
Griffith Chancellor The Honourable Andrew Fraser with Professor Evans and MP Sam O’Connor.
The centrepiece of the new G12 facility is the analytical laboratory operated by the Environmental Research Facility (ERF). As Griffith’s flagship environmental analysis hub, the ERF provides services to internal researchers and external partners including government, industry, and other universities.
The ERF supports diverse research projects ranging from marine and freshwater pollution monitoring, to nutrient flux studies, sediment analysis, and contaminant tracking.
Importantly, it is tightly integrated into undergraduate education, giving students direct access to techniques and equipment in demand across environmental science, analytical chemistry, and marine research industries.
The School of Environment and Science’s Deputy Head of School (Research), Associate Professor Will Bennett, highlighted the importance of training our students in a range of cutting-edge analytical techniques throughout their undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
“We take pride in offering authentic learning experiences for our science and environment students that prepare them to thrive in the industry and research jobs of the future,” Associate Professor Bennett said.
“The new Superlab enables students to be trained in modern analytical laboratories containing the same state-of-the-art equipment found in industry and government labs.”
The G12 building complements Griffith’s existing infrastructure at the Gold Coast campus and is a strategic investment in the university’s environmental science, marine studies, and chemistry programs – areas that have seen strong student growth and international recognition.
Griffith University is enhancing its teaching and research capability with the launch of a new innovative facility that underlines the university’s strong foundation in science and technology.
The Environmental Laboratories Building (N81) provides spaces for research, teaching, workshops, and more.
The new Environmental Laboratories Building (N81), located on the Brisbane South campus, is a multifunctional space that will support Griffith Sciences activities across all three schools – Environment and Science, Engineering and Built Environment, and Information and Communications Technology.
It will provide spaces for research, teaching, mechanical and electrical workshops, and field and sample storage.
Griffith Sciences Dean Academic Professor Rosalind Archer said the opening of N81 in Griffith’s 50th year echoes the university’s commitment to environmental studies since it opened its doors with one of Australia’s first environmental science degrees in 1975.
“Fifty years ago, the Australian School of Environmental Studies school was one of the four foundational schools of the brand-new institution at the time, Griffith University, and offered the first bespoke environmental science program – the Bachelor of Australian Environmental Studies,” Professor Archer said.
“Fast-tracking to today, Griffith has come a long way in many ways, but this incredible new building that will house a range of innovative research and teaching spaces will elevate Griffith’s esteemed history of environment research to even greater levels.”
N81 was officially opened by Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation The Honourable Andrew Powell MP and Griffith Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans, with Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Kerrie Wilson in attendance alongside Griffith staff, academics and students. Aaron Ruska, a Nunukul Yuggera man, welcomed all in attendance to country with a smoking ceremony.
The building will cater to a variety of scientific teaching and research projects, with each level of the three-level building housing unique technical spaces.
The Honourable Andrew Powell MP with Associate Lecturer and PhD Michelle Hobbs.
Level O is home to the aquaria facility that will support aquatic experimental work, such as Associate Lecturer and PhD student Michelle Hobbs’, who will use this purpose-built aquaria facility to study the secrets of freshwater mussel filter feeding and burrowing behaviour.
Level 1 houses the soils research and teaching facility, which includes an area for pre-processing of soils samples, where they can be dried, sieved and ground for further analysis in the neighbouring soils chemistry laboratory or at other higher-level analytical facilities.
Senior Lecturer Dr Yunying Fang will use the soils research facility to process samples to understand the structural and nutrient properties of soils and how these may help soils capture and retain carbon, important for both agricultural productivity and as a mitigation for climate change.
Level 1 is also home to the soils teaching laboratory for subjects that are core in Griffith’s Bachelor of Environmental Science, with the position of the laboratory enabling easy access for our undergraduate students from the main part of the campus.
Level 2 houses the glasshouse facility, which currently includes two glasshouses with climate control and two ambient glasshouse spaces.
Lecturer Dr Natalie Jones wants to explore dormancy (a life history strategy that has evolved in some plants and animals that live in highly variable environments). Dr Jones is planning a series of experiments that will allow her to isolate different environmental conditions (heat, fire and flooding) and assess how they impact dormancy rates in plants and invertebrates.
The call is out for Australians over the age of 45 and at risk of osteoporotic fracture to be part of an ongoing Griffith University study to test the implementation of a revolutionary exercise program to strengthen and improve bone health.
The STOP FRACTURE! study is testing the implementation of an evidence-based program called ONERO into the standard osteoporosis model of care.
Professor Belinda Beck
Previously, only drugs were thought to increase bone and prevent the fractures which occur from minimal trauma, such as a fall, as we age.
Professor Belinda Beck from Griffith’s School of Health Sciences and Social Work said not all exercise was effective therapy for osteoporosis.
The STOP FRACTURE! study not only aims to reduce the risk of fragility fractures with effective exercise therapy, but to increase referrals from doctors to it.
“Osteoporosis is a silent epidemic and unfortunately most people don’t even know they have low bone mass until they fracture doing something innocuous,” Professor Beck said.
“Our study is designed to increase doctor awareness of the ONERO program to increase referrals and access so we can begin to really reduce rates of osteoporotic fracture in Australia.
“The exercise involves lifting weights, which doctors tend to avoid because people with osteoporosis can be quite frail, but we have found it is safe and effective if supervised by trained exercise specialists.”
The Bone Clinic is a translational research clinic established in 2015 to implement ONERO into clinical practice with comprehensive ongoing patient monitoring to determine if it is safe and effective in the real world.
Nearly ten years on, the results speak for themselves.
“Most of our clients are postmenopausal women but we have men also and even some people over 90 doing ONERO,” Professor Beck said.
“No matter the age, the effect is always incredible.
“This program has a strong emphasis on prevention because we know once you’ve had your first fracture, you’re four times more likely to have another.
“But we have lots of people lifting weights who have previously had multiple fractures, and they are going great guns too.
“In the STOP FRACTURE! study, we’re working closely with doctors to establish a practical and sustainable referral pathway so we can continue to help people prevent fractures into the future.”
Click here for more information on how to be part of the implementation study, or email [email protected] or call (07) 5552 9659.
A new study co-led by Griffith University has highlighted extreme examples – such as orangutan kickboxing for the entertainment of tourists – do little to educate or develop conservation motivation for myriad animal species around the world.
As urbanisation and habitat destruction erode opportunities for humans to meaningfully interact with wild animals in their natural environments, the growing wildlife tourism industry has emerged as a key space for these encounters.
However, the new discussion paper, co-authored by Griffith’s Associate Professor Georgette Leah Burns, raised serious ethical concerns about the use of non-human animals in tourism contexts, particularly in captivity.
The study explored how non-consumptive wildlife tourism – where animals were not hunted or killed – could still result in significant harm.
Beyond welfare concerns such as stress or poor living conditions, these encounters had potential to distort the public perception of animals and the broader human-animal relationship.
The authors called for moving past an “anthropocentric viewpoint” and examining how animals were positioned in tourism through the lens of objectification and visibility, and predominantly at the sake of their agency.
A stark example was the orangutan kickboxing shows at Safari World Bangkok and similar parks.
“Here, orangutans were costumed in bikinis or uniforms and forced to perform human-like tricks with often sexualised undertones, such as imitating intercourse or dancing provocatively – all for the amusement of tourists,” Associate Professor Burns said.
“These practices not only harm animal welfare but also constitute profound violations of dignity and respect. Such objectification reduces sentient beings to spectacles, denying their subjectivity and autonomy.”
The team emphasised that the problem was not captivity itself, but the specific ways animals were made visible and consumed by the tourist gaze.
To address these issues, Associate Professor Burns urged wildlife tourism that aligned with an “ethics of sight”, an approach that fostered respectful, meaningful encounters and portrayed animals as subjects rather than objects.
“Activities should be structured to encourage understanding of animals as individuals with intrinsic value, rather than as mere entertainment,” she said.
“As wildlife tourism continues to grow, this work challenges the industry to reassess its ethical foundations and move toward more compassionate and respectful models of engagement.”
