Alien Species Impact Reduction

Callaghan bushland management zones

The University of Newcastle manages invasive weeds and other introduced species as part of protecting the native biodiversity of its bushland campuses. This approach combines University-wide environmental policy with site-specific landscape management, native planting and long-term weed-control programs.

Policy and management framework

The Environmental Sustainability Policy committed the University to protect and conserve the biodiversity of native flora and fauna on its campuses and to implement the Environmental Sustainability Plan through campus and facilities management. The policy took effect on 8 December 2022 and remained in place during 2025.

The Environmental Sustainability Plan 2019-2025 identified biodiversity and landscaping as a University priority and committed to active management of Callaghan's bushland and wetland ecosystems. The plan describes weed removal, erosion control and increased native biodiversity as important measures for safeguarding connected wetlands and calls for ongoing bush regeneration throughout the life of the plan.

Callaghan Campus includes around 25 hectares of ecological conservation zones and freshwater wetland areas within its broader 140-hectare bushland setting. Managing invasive species in these areas helps protect native vegetation communities and the habitat they provide.

The campus supports Coastal Foothills Spotted Gum-Ironbark Forest, Riparian Closed Forest and freshwater wetlands, together with a diverse range of native flora and fauna.

At the Central Coast campus at Ourimbah, extensive natural bushland and riparian vegetation along Bangalow Creek also form part of the University's biodiversity-management responsibilities.

Callaghan Landscape Management

The Callaghan Landscape Management Implementation Plan (CLMIP) contains zone-by-zone weed-control programs for remnant bushland and wetland areas. It identifies target introduced plants including Lantana, Camphor Laurel, Small-leaved and Large-leaved Privet, Asparagus Fern, Coastal Morning Glory, Japanese Honeysuckle, Wild Tobacco and Wandering Jew.

Callaghan campus management areas and precincts

The CLMIP sets treatment timeframes and target densities for individual weeds within each management zone, alongside native regeneration and revegetation. For example, some zones set progressive reductions for Lantana and privet over one-, three- and ten-year periods.

The University's Public Domain Manual guides landscape works at Callaghan and requires planting to reflect endemic ecological communities. Its landscape principles include minimising weed presence, using suitable indigenous plants after weed removal and supporting the structure of native bushland.

Protecting native ecosystems over the long term

Together, these policies, plans and landscape standards provide a practical framework for limiting the spread and ecological impact of introduced plants while supporting native regeneration across the University's bushland and wetland areas.