Cooperation on Water Security

The University of Newcastle works with governments and public agencies at local, state, national and international levels to address water security challenges and support sustainable water resource management. Through collaborative research, technological innovation, environmental monitoring and community engagement, the University contributes expertise to initiatives that improve water availability, protect freshwater ecosystems and strengthen resilience to drought and climate change.

Local government cooperation

H2KnOw STEM day

In September 2025, the University partnered with Central Coast Council, GHD, Rumbalara and the Central Coast Academy of STEM Excellence to deliver the H2KnOw STEM Day at its Ourimbah campus.

Held on 23 September, the event brought together students from seven Central Coast high schools for hands-on learning about water management, environmental sustainability and the challenges involved in protecting water resources.

Students explored water infrastructure, aquatic ecosystems, water filtration and the effects of weather on water quality through interactive activities. The University contributed a water-quality monitoring laboratory activity, giving students practical experience in assessing water quality.

The initiative supported Central Coast Council's efforts to build community knowledge and develop skills relevant to protecting the region's future water supply. By connecting University researchers with local government, industry and schools, the event helped strengthen community understanding of sustainable water management.

Further information is available in Central Coast Council's 2025 event report and the 2025 H2KnOw program information.

Carp to Croc: protecting local waterways

The University also collaborated with Central Coast Council through the Carp to Croc initiative in 2025, supporting efforts to improve the health of local freshwater ecosystems.

The month-long community program removed 296 invasive European carp from local waterways while raising awareness of the impacts these fish can have on water quality, native species and aquatic ecosystems.

University of Newcastle students contributed to the initiative by collecting tissue samples from captured carp for research into aquatic food webs. This research supports a better understanding of freshwater ecosystem dynamics and can help inform future management of local waterways.

The project brought together Central Coast Council's Estuary Management and Water & Sewer teams, the University, WaterNSW, NSW Government agencies and community organisations. This collaboration demonstrates how research, government environmental management and community participation can contribute to protecting shared water resources.

Read more in the Central Coast Council's project summary.

Regional and state government cooperation

Understanding historical water availability in the Gwydir Wetlands

In 2025, University of Newcastle researchers collaborated with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW) to investigate long-term changes in water availability and environmental conditions in the Gwydir Wetlands.

By analysing tree growth rings and radiocarbon signatures in coolabah and river red gum trees up to 500 years old, the research reconstructed historical patterns of drought, flooding and changing water regimes.

This long-term environmental record provides valuable insights into how wetland ecosystems respond to variations in water availability and climate conditions. The findings can support government agencies and environmental managers in understanding the effects of changing water regimes and informing decisions about environmental watering, wetland conservation and water allocation.

The collaboration combines University research expertise with government environmental management knowledge, supporting more informed approaches to protecting water-dependent ecosystems and strengthening resilience to future climate pressures.

Read more here.

National government cooperation

Hydro Harvester: improving water security in drought-affected communities 

The University works with the Australian Government to develop innovative technologies that strengthen drought resilience and improve access to water in rural and regional communities.

One example is the University's Hydro Harvester, a water-generation technology supported through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

The Hydro Harvester uses solar thermal energy or waste heat to extract moisture from the atmosphere and produce drinking water. This approach offers an alternative source of water for communities facing drought, water scarcity or limited access to conventional water infrastructure.

Australian Government reporting published on 11 February 2025 highlighted how funding support enabled University researchers to progress from an initial 20-litre pilot system towards a modular system designed to produce up to 1,000 litres of drinking water per day.

By supporting the development and scaling of this technology, the partnership contributes to new approaches for improving water availability and strengthening the resilience of drought-affected communities.

The team is working on a large-scale Hydro Harvester to produce up to 1000 L of water a day

Global government cooperation

Sustainable freshwater catchment management in the Cook Islands

The University of Newcastle collaborates with governments and regional organisations across the Pacific to address water-related environmental challenges and strengthen ecosystem resilience. In 2025, University researchers Associate Professor Troy Gaston and Dr Alex Callen continued working with the Cook Islands National Environment Service (NES) through the Global Environment Facility (GEF7) Enhancing Nature's Unique Areas initiative, supporting environmental monitoring and sustainable catchment management in Rarotonga.

During a 2025 field visit to Rarotonga, the researchers worked alongside NES staff to undertake freshwater catchment monitoring and engage with government and community stakeholders, including the Ministry of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and local environmental organisations. As part of the catchment audit, the team gathered updated environmental data across the Avatiu, Takuvaine, Avana and Turangi catchments to support ongoing assessment and management of these important freshwater systems.

The collaboration brings together University research expertise and local government knowledge to support sustainable catchment management, strengthen environmental monitoring and inform decisions affecting freshwater ecosystems and connected coastal lagoons.

Strengthening environmental cooperation across the Pacific

The University's international environmental partnerships also include the Pacific Node, established in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

The initiative supports cooperation on environmental challenges affecting Pacific Island nations, including climate resilience, water governance, pollution management and ecosystem protection.

The University has also established formal partnerships with Samoa's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa. These relationships provide opportunities for collaborative research, knowledge exchange and capacity building to support environmental management and evidence-informed decision-making.

Through these partnerships, the University contributes to regional efforts to strengthen environmental resilience and support sustainable management of natural resources across the Pacific.