Events on Sustainable Use of Land

The University of Newcastle supports events that bring researchers, industry and communities together to explore how land can be conserved, restored and used more sustainably. In 2025, this included events focused on the long-term sustainability of agricultural landscapes, soil health and responsible land use.

2025 events promoting sustainable land use

Vines and Vision - Hunter Valley

On 6 August 2025, the University's Institute for Regional Futures hosted Vines and Vision, bringing together more than 50 researchers, winemakers, tourism leaders and government representatives to consider the long-term sustainability of the Hunter Valley wine region. Discussion focused on challenges including climate variability, land use, environmental responsibility and regional resilience, and explored how collaboration, education and research can support a more sustainable future for the region.

Hunter Insights Series event for 2025, hosted by the University of Newcastle’s Institute for Regional Futures. L-R Michael de Iuliis, Professor Kate Senior, Liz Riley, Dr Julie McIntyre, Jennie Curran, Alisdair Tulloch, Dr Christophe Tourenq, University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky

Sharing sustainable soil-management research in the field

During the 2025 field-day season, University of Newcastle researchers contributed to Southern Farming Systems field days that connected soil research directly with farmers and agricultural advisers. At the SFS Spring Crop Walk in Inverleigh, University Research Associate Dr Santosh Paul discussed field and glasshouse trials evaluating biosolids-derived biochar, including its effects on plant growth, soil ecosystems and safe land application. The field days provided a practical setting for sharing approaches that can improve soil health and support more sustainable agricultural land management.

2024 supporting context

The Delprat Garden: a living laboratory for regenerative land use

  • The Delprat Garden explores phytoremediation - an ecologically sustainable approach that uses plants to absorb, contain or neutralise pollutants in contaminated soil.
  • The University of Newcastle’s School of Architecture and Built Environment plays a lead role in the design and research components, in partnership with:
    • University of Technology Sydney (School of Life Sciences),
    • Landcom,
    • Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association, and
    • Local community stakeholders.
  • The garden is both scientific and performative, exploring new aesthetic, social, and ecological relationships to industrial heritage land through experimental design and public engagement.

» Learn more about the Delprat Garden

Source: delpratgarden.com.au



Events and Activities Promoting Land Stewardship
  • Delprat Garden Open Day
    The University supported and co-hosted this public event to showcase the garden’s ecological function, design innovations, and research outcomes. It included:
    • Guided tours,
    • Talks on urban regeneration, soil health, and phytoremediation,
    • Community art and student-led installations.
  • 2024 Programming Highlights
    In 2024, the Delprat Garden continued to support sustainability-focused learning and engagement through:
    • Workshops on regenerative planting and soil monitoring,
    • Field visits for students and community groups exploring sustainable land reuse,
    • Participation in National Science Week (2024) with a focus on "Land Futures in a Changing Climate."
    • Collaborative design studios involving architecture and environmental science students to create new interventions in degraded landscapes.
Regenerating post-industrial land
  • The Delprat Garden is linked to the University's broader urban ecology and landscape regeneration research, supporting the conservation of urban wildlands and the integration of green infrastructure in post-industrial environments.
  • It provides a practical example of how degraded industrial land can be reimagined through ecological restoration, public engagement and sustainable landscape design.

These activities connect sustainable land management with regional industries, farming communities and public learning, supporting healthier soils, more resilient landscapes and better long-term stewardship of land.