The Governance Framework for IMOS is a partnership between particular institutions for the delivery of marine observing infrastructure on behalf of the Australian marine and climate community with each institution agreeing to a particular role. Nationally the program is managed and coordinated by the IMOS Office, established and operated by the University of Tasmania which has entered into the NCRIS and EIF Funding Agreements with the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE) for the implementation of IMOS.

In turn, the University of Tasmania through the IMOS Office has entered into IMOS Sub-contracts with the Operators for the ownership and operation of the infrastructure (Facilities and Sub Facilities) under the terms of the DIISRTE agreements.  There are eleven facilities, each operating a different type of instrumentation. The facilities will deliver streams of data to support research in the Nodes.

The IMOS Office is responsible for coordination of the program, development of strategic and business plans, operation of the advisory system, communication and engagement with the marine community at-large through the nodal structure, and planning and promotion. A key strategic priority for the IMOS Office will be to sustain the program into the longer term.

The scientific rationale for IMOS was established by consortia (termed Nodes) within the marine research community. There are six nodes – a blue water climate observing node and five regional coastal nodes. The IMOS Steering Group is chaired by the IMOS Director, and is composed of Node Leaders and the eMII Director. IMOS will deliver data to support research planned by the Nodes.

An Advisory Board will provide strategic guidance to the IMOS Office, monitor the overall strategic direction, management and performance of the program in accordance with the DIISRTE Agreements.  Annual business operational plans and budget allocations will require concurrence of the Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will comprise an Independent Chair, the Director IMOS Office and 8 members nominated by the marine community through the nodes collectively for their abilities to guide the program. 

Where appropriate, each Facility will establish a User Group drawn from the nodes to provide input from the user community to assist in the development of operational plans and protocols and the dissemination of technical expertise and capability. Facilities may cooperate to have User Groups in common. The IMOS Office will coordinate national reporting, relationships between the Operators, and operational and technical matters.

ADVISORY BOARD

The IMOS Office operates with the advice and agreement of an Advisory Board which comprises an Independent Chair, the Director IMOS Office, 9 members, a nominee of the University of Tasmania and the IMOS Director.  See TOR Advisory Board to view the Terms of Reference for the IMOS Advisory Board.

The Independent Chair is appointed by the University of Tasmania following consultation with the IMOS Operators.  The current members of the IMOS Advisory Board are:

Dr Ian Poiner              Independent Chair

Prof Lee Astheimer     Deakin University

Dr Nick D’Adamo         Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), UNESCO

Mr John Gunn              Australian Institute of Marine Science

Dr Rob Lewis               Science Without Bounds

Dr Bruce Mapstone      Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Prof Jason Middleton   University of New South Wales

Cmdr Robyn Phillips     Royal Australian Navy

Dr Peter Rogers           Western Australian Marine Science Institution

Dr Neville Smith           Bureau of Meteorology

Prof Paddy Nixon          University of Tasmania

Mr Tim Moltmann           IMOS Director

Mrs Jo Neilson               Secretary / IMOS Project Manager