Goal 15:
Life on Land
Sustainable Management of Land for Agriculture
In 2024, the University of Newcastle continued to offer educational programmes and outreach related to sustainable land management for agriculture, particularly in partnership settings in the Pacific and with the Hunter Valley.
Sustainable Management in 2024
- Cook Islands GEF‑7 Project ENUA – Catchment Audits & Community Training
Under the ENUA project, the University is working with the Cook Islands National Environment Service (NES) to conduct water catchment audits on Rarotonga to identify key pollutants impacting catchments.
The University is also delivering training courses in freshwater ecology and water resource management to Cook Islands communities, to help locals monitor the effects of land‑use practices on soil, water, food systems, ecosystem services and biodiversity. - Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Survey with Local Communities
In mid‑2024, four University of Newcastle students with their supervisor Dr Sascha Fuller travelled to Rarotonga to assist Project ENUA in conducting door‑to‑door surveys (KAP surveys) to establish baseline data regarding community knowledge and practices around agriculture, pollution sources, and environmental conservation. - Leading Global CRC‑High Performance Soils
The University is leading a new Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for High Performance Soils (CRC‑HPS). This initiative is to develop soil science, farm management practices, big data, sensor technologies, aimed at improving soil health and sustainable agricultural productivity. - CRC for High Performance Soils + Biosolids-to-Biochar Research
In 2024, University researchers secured funding to convert contaminated biosolids into safe nutrient-rich biochar, providing a potentially sustainable soil amendment for agricultural lands, especially where conventional fertilisers are limited or have environmental risks (e.g. PFAS).
This research supports reducing dependence on synthetic fertilisers and improving soil health in agricultural systems. - Food & Agribusiness Roadmap with Applied Research Outreach
The University has published our 2024 Food & Agribusiness Roadmap, aligning our applied research capacity with regional agribusiness and primary producers to deliver environmental sustainability outcomes for agriculture in the Hunter, NSW, and beyond.
This strategic alignment supports collaborative outreach, innovation transfer, and capacity building for sustainable agricultural practices. - UON Community Garden — On‑Campus Demonstration & Engagement
Locally, the University of Newcastle runs a Community Garden (behind the Wollotuka Institute) where staff, students, and community participants come together for planting days, harvesting, working bees, and sustainable gardening practices. The garden uses water tanks, composting, solar pumps, and raised beds to model sustainable land use on a small scale.
This project helps raise awareness of regenerative practices, soil health, native species, and sustainable food production among campus communities. - Institutional Strategy & Engagement Frameworks
While not a pure outreach program, the Strategic Plan’s Engagement Priorities explicitly include supporting “next generation resources for sustainability” and building stronger connections with communities and industry to promote innovative, sustainable land use and resource practices.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.