Watershed Management Strategy

Managing Callaghan's wetlands and waterways

• Callaghan Campus spans approximately 140 hectares, with around 25 hectares of remnant native bushland and wetlands, including areas of high aquatic ecological value.
• These wetlands and connected waterways form part of the local watershed and contribute to the area's hydrological and ecological functions.
• The CLMIP also identifies a Biodiversity Offset Zone where aquatic and terrestrial habitats are protected and actively managed.

Biodiversity guided management

• Management of Callaghan's bushland and wetlands is informed by the native species and ecological communities found on campus.
• The ecological assessment underpinning the CLMIP records 188 native flora species, 116 bird species, 14 native mammal species, 11 frog species and 18 reptile species. Freshwater wetlands are one of the three major ecological communities identified across the campus.
• This local ecological knowledge helps shape how sensitive habitats are managed and how environmental impacts are considered in campus planning and maintenance.
• Key management measures include:
  • Runoff and stormwater controls that help protect downstream aquatic systems,
  • Vegetation rehabilitation to support water quality and bank stability,
  • Monitoring of flora and fauna, including aquatic species that can indicate changes in ecosystem health.

Protecting waterways during campus works

When University activities affect vegetation in or beside a watercourse, lake, wetland or other water body, the CLMIP requires consideration of threatened fauna habitat and potential changes to local hydrology. Management responses can include sediment and erosion controls, stormwater-runoff controls, regeneration with locally native species and specialist assessment of impacts on aquatic flora and fauna.

Restoring freshwater wetlands

The CLMIP includes dedicated action plans for two freshwater wetland areas at Callaghan. These plans set out staged weed control, revegetation and long-term management targets tailored to the condition of each wetland. In the more degraded Wetland 2 area, the plan identifies extensive revegetation as part of restoring a more natural native environment.

Working with our community

Community participation is part of Callaghan's landscape management. The CLMIP identifies involvement through the Callaghan Campus Landscape Consultative Group, Trees in Newcastle, and University staff and student research. It also recommends opportunities such as bushcare, planting, weed and erosion control, fauna observation and conservation education, with potential collaboration with Newcastle City Council.

Learning from the campus environment

• The watershed management strategy also informs broader campus planning and development, helping the University consider aquatic biodiversity as the campus grows and changes.
• Callaghan's natural areas also provide opportunities for teaching and research, giving students and researchers direct experience of watershed ecology, conservation biology and environmental management.

Ongoing environmental management

The University's Operational Environmental Management Plan (OEMP) Guidance Document, dated July 2025, places biodiversity and landscaping within the site-based environmental management framework for Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses. It sets out responsibilities for environmental priorities, management programs, monitoring, review and continual improvement in day-to-day campus operations.

These measures help protect Callaghan's freshwater wetlands and connected waterways while supporting biodiversity, campus use, learning and long-term environmental resilience.