In April 2021, 8 Hubs were launched across the country following a competitive grant process.
Regional universities lead 7 of the Hubs and a grower group alliance leads the eighth.
Hubs are made up of various stakeholders. They include industry, researchers, farmers, and community groups.
Hubs support farmers and communities prepare for drought by connecting farmers to regional experts, innovations, and new practices.
Every Hub has a Knowledge Broker who helps translate science into practice for their region. Using their networks, they boost collaboration and learning across Hubs. They also make connections with other Future Drought Fund programs.
Under the first Funding Plan (2020 to 2024) a total of $89 million in funding from the FDF has been committed to the Hubs.
Under the new Funding Plan (2024 to 2028) $28 million has been announced over 2 years from 2024-25 to continue on ground activity. A review will inform any longer-term funding opportunity, with $104 million over years 6 from 2026-27 available.
The FDF Drought Hubs Review
In September 2023, the Productivity Commission released their Inquiry Report on the FDF, which recommended a mid-term performance review of the Hubs be undertaken.
The review will evaluate the performance of the Hubs since their establishment, as well as the governance and operation of the hubs program. The review will also assess the appropriateness of the program into the future.
A panel has been appointed to conduct the Hubs review, chaired by Daryl Quinlivan and assisted by Charlie Tulloch, Evaluation Expert, with the support of a review team from the department.
Consultation open
Stakeholders are encouraged to share their views via the Have Your Say platform by providing a written response.
Submissions close on 2 October 2024. It is intended that the review will be finalised in March 2025.
Activities
Hub activities have been designed in collaboration with farmers and other stakeholders to meet local needs. Examples include:
- on-farm trials of transformational technologies and practices
- training farmers to use decision-support tools
- upskilling farmers in innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation.
Hub locations
Australia has 8 Hubs in key climatic and agriculture zones. Each Hub has several nodes that reaches across their region. Together, they cover over 40 locations and involves more than 140 partners.
See more about each hub
Drought Resilience Research and Adoption and Innovation Hubs Advisory Committee
In May 2021, the Minister for Agriculture established an independent advisory committee to offer a national perspective on the operation of the Drought Resilience Research and Adoption Program. The committee reports to the Minister and the department.
The Minister appointed Brent Finlay (Chair), Emeritus Professor James Rowe, Trent De Paoli, Professor Bronwyn Harch, Carolyn Welsh, Dale Park, and Dr. Christine Pitt as its initial members until 30 June 2024.
In June 2024, the Minister appointed committee members to serve for a 12-month period until 30 June 2025. This included continuing members: Brent Finlay (Chair), Carolyn Welsh, Dale Park and Dr Christine Pitt and new members Margo Andrae, Rene Woods and Julia Spicer.
Committee members
Brent has 40 years' experience in agriculture.
He is managing director of Finlay Agricultural Industries (FIA). FIA provides strategic advice to agricultural enterprises.
Brent has recently been independent chair of Granite Belt Water (GBW). GWB is building a new dam and irrigation scheme for horticulture in the Darling Downs.
Brent was president of the National Farmers' Federation and AgForce Queensland. He represented Oceania at the World Farmers' Organisation in Rome.
Brent runs Cooinda, a sheep property in South East Queensland’s traprock region.
Brent also Chairs the Future Drought Fund Consultative Committee.
Caroline has 30 years' experience working in agriculture communication, industry development and climate variability.
In 1998 Caroline received a Churchill Fellowship to study fresh stone fruit exports.
Caroline currently Chairs GWMWater, the regional water authority for much of western Victoria. She is a partner in the family grain farm in Victoria's mallee region.
She led the Birchip Cropping Group for 7 years and served on its board for 15 years.
Caroline holds a Master of Agribusiness (Marketing), a Graduate Diploma of Rural Resource Management and a Bachelor of Agriculture Science. Caroline is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dale leads Kilandra Pastoral Co. and manages DH & JM Park.
He is skilled in agribusiness and business growth.
Previously, he was the president of the Western Australian Farmers' Federation. He is dedicated to advocating for producers.
Dale has a long interest in drought resilience. He was a board member of Farmers for Climate Action and the National Farmers' Federation environment committee.
Dale farms cattle in Badgingarra, north of Perth.
Christine is a global leader in agtech and food tech, this includes supply chains and harnessing innovation.
She is the founder and CEO of the Food Futures Company. The company develops cutting edge agrifood technologies, products, and business models.
Christine is the co-founder of Farmers2Founders. Farmers2Founders helps farmers launch new ventures or improve their existing operations.
Christine established GROW, an agrifood tech accelerator in Singapore. GROW is a joint venture with AgFunder.
Christine was previously the CEO of Meat and Livestock Australia’s Donor Company.
Margo has extensive experience in all levels of government and industry. She has a strong background in political advocacy and stakeholder engagement in agriculture and Australian research. Margo has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and marketing. She also has skills in communications, business development, operations, and resource management.
Margo is the CEO of Australian Pork Limited. She also held positions with the Cattle Council of Australia, CSIRO, the University of NSW, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, and the Queensland Local Government.
Rene is a Nari Nari man from South West New South Wales. He has had a long worked with Aboriginal people on water issues in the Basin. Growing up by the Murrumbidgee River, it was vital to his family, community, and their way of life.
Now, Rene serves on the Murray Darling Basin Authority. He is also the Conservation Program Manager at The Nature Conservancy Australia.
Rene passionately advocates for First Nations people in the Basin. He has worked in both public and non-government sectors.
Julia founded Engage & Create Consulting and the Goondiwindi Business Hub.
She boosts rural and regional Australia by aiding business growth.
Julia excels in engaging women and First Nations communities. Recently, she served as Queensland Chief Entrepreneur, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the state.
Funding information
Find details of the payment information for the Drought Resilience Research, Adoption and Innovation Hubs program as required under Section 27A of the Future Drought Fund Act 2019 below.
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Future Drought Fund: Drought Resilience Research, Adoption and Innovation Hubs (PDF 186 KB)
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