John Williams (water scientist)

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John Williams

John Williams is an Australian scientist whose life work has been in the study of hydrology and the use of water in the landscape and farming, including land salinity.

His story was told in part on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's TV documentary series, Australian Story, on 6 June 2005. transcript

1 Work
- 1.1 Current Activities
2 Background
3 Personal Beliefs
4 External links

[edit] Work

He is a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, that published several statements on the use of water in the Australian environment during the height of the drought (2002-2003) and has since then been influential in creating a rational debate on Australia's water resources.

He was Chief of the Division of Land and Water, CSIRO (Australia's premier government research organisation), in Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, when he retired in 2004. He served earlier at the CSIRO laboraties at Townsville in Queensland where, among other things, he studied the Great Artesian Basin and the transport of water from the Great Dividing Range into the outback of Queensland and New South Wales.

[edit] Current Activities

Williams is currently:

Chief Scientist for the New South Wales Department of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR)
Commissioner of the New South Wales Natural Resources Commission

[edit] Background

Williams grew up on a family farm in the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales. He attended school in Queanbeyan near Canberra, before attending university in Sydney.

[edit] Personal Beliefs

Williams is a Christian and has undertaken formal higher education in theology. He is a member of the Uniting Church in Australia attending Kippax Uniting Church where he has served in various roles including Chairman of the Congregation and Lay Preacher.