The roles of science and other institutional structures in decision-making and negotiation processeshave changed since the 1970s with increasing requirements for environmental assessment and environmental outcomes and the move away from highly centralised government to broader governance. At the same time, the capacities, complexities and areas of specialisation of science have increased greatly as have requirements for environmental assessment and environmental outcomes. Part of this changing context has been increasing contestation of science in resource and environmental contexts where decision making requires synthesis of biophysical and socio-economic knowledge. While scientific institutions, including CSIRO and universities have the role of trusted expert advisor built substantially on a foundation of biophysical science expertise there is an expectation of clearer communication and engagement with the social sciences and a broader range of stakeholders within systems of governance.