ANZ Cyanobacteria Workshop

The Australia and New Zealand Cyanobacteria Workshop has become an integral event on the global water calendar. Held every two years, this event showcases new research advancements and provides a forum for water supply managers, health officials, ecologists, modellers, toxicologists and research experts in cyanobacterial identification and management to meet and discuss all things cyanobacteria.

The 8th Australia and New Zealand Cyanobacteria Workshop
was held on the 26th & 27th September followed by the CSIRO Aquawatch Workshop on 28 September 2023.

Our cyanobacteria workshops have become an integral event on the global water calendar. This year’s Workshop will was a two-day, in-person event hosted by the Department of Civil Engineering at Monash University showcasing new research advancements and providing a forum for water supply managers, health officials, ecologists, modellers, toxicologists and research experts in cyanobacterial identification and management to meet and discuss all things cyanobacteria.

Presenters from industry and academia addressed the conference theme of “recent Australian and New Zealand research on cyanobacteria with implications for risk management within the water industry.” 30 presentations were delivered over the two days and are available for viewing here.

The 9th ANZ Cyanobacteria Workshop has been tentatively scheduled for 23 – 25 September 2025, hosted by CSIRO in Hobart, Tasmania.

The workshop was followed by an AquaWatch Mission End User Consultation Workshop hosted by CSIRO on Thursday 28th September. The workshop discussed the latest updates from the mission in delivering national water quality monitoring and forecasting services and how end user consultation is critical for developing early warning service for HABs outbreaks.

View the proceedings from the workshop here.

Thank you to our event sponsors…

Platinum Sponsor: Monash University

Gold Sponsor: Dept. of Health Victoria

Silver Sponsor: Diagnostic Technology

2023 Organising Committee

Nick Crosbie | Melbourne Water (Co-chair)
Arash Zamyadi | Monash University (Co-chair)
Suzie Sarkis | Department of Health, Victoria
Jennifer O’Connor | Department of Health, Victoria
Heather Lacey | Sydney Water
Vincent Bianchini | Water Research Australia
Linda Blackall | The University of Melbourne
Anusuya Willis | CSIRO
Susie Wood | Cawthron Institute
Michele Burford | Griffith University
Rita Henderson | UNSW
Anas Ghadouani | University of Western Australia
Tapas Biswas | CSIRO
Cami Plum | Monash University

Event History

Australian water sources, both natural and man-made, are regularly afflicted by cyanobacteria (blue-green algal) blooms, with the first known official report dating back to the 1800s.

Over the last two centuries, Australia has developed a vastly experienced and knowledgeable community of water supply managers, health officials, ecologists, modellers, toxicologists and other researchers in cyanobacterial identification and management.

In 2009 following particularly severe algal blooms along 1,000 kms of the Murray River, the First National Cyanobacteria Workshop was held in Parramatta, New South Wales.

Since the first iteration, the workshop has expanded to include New Zealand as well as Australia and has become an integral event on the global water calendar. The Australia and New Zealand Cyanobacteria Workshop is now held every second year providing a much-needed platform for researchers and managers in the health and water sectors; allowing them to meet, discuss current knowledge and share new findings and combine their expertise for national benefit.

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