Sustainable Use, Conservation and Restoration of Land

The University of Newcastle protects and restores the terrestrial ecosystems associated with its campuses through environmental policy, biodiversity planning and on-ground land management. This includes the conservation of remnant bushland and forest, restoration of degraded areas, protection of native flora and fauna, and management of weeds, fire risk, soil and habitat connectivity.

Policy and planning framework

Environmental Sustainability Policy

The Environmental Sustainability Policy committed the University to protecting and conserving the biodiversity of native flora and fauna on its campuses and to protecting the wetlands and aquatic ecosystems on which it operates. The policy took effect on 8 December 2022 and remained in place during 2025. It also linked environmental sustainability to the management of University campuses and facilities and to the implementation of the Environmental Sustainability Plan.

Biodiversity and landscaping goals

The University's Environmental Sustainability Plan 2019-2025 translated these policy commitments into campus management priorities. It committed the University to actively managing its campuses to restore, improve and maintain biodiversity and included a university-wide biodiversity management objective.

The University recognises remnant bushland, forests, riparian zones and wetlands as areas of high conservation value and describe active management to restore, improve and maintain these landscapes.

Managing and restoring campus ecosystems

Callaghan bushland and wetland management

Callaghan Campus covers approximately 140 hectares, including around 25 hectares of dedicated ecological conservation zones and freshwater wetland areas. The campus contains Coastal Foothills Spotted Gum-Ironbark Forest, Riparian Closed Forest and freshwater wetlands, which are managed through campus biodiversity and landscape programs.

The Callaghan Landscape Management Implementation Plan provides a site-specific framework for bushland management, weed control, regeneration, habitat protection and restoration across these natural areas.

Supporting native biodiversity

Callaghan's natural areas support around 188 native flora species, 116 bird species, 14 native mammal species, 11 frog species and 18 reptile species. Threatened and migratory species recorded on or around the campus include the Powerful Owl, Little Lorikeet, Little Eagle, Varied Sittella and Grey-headed Flying-fox.

Restoration and ecological improvement

Land management includes rehabilitating degraded vegetation, controlling invasive weeds, maintaining ecological connectivity and protecting soil, hydrology and understorey structure. The Callaghan plan also promotes the use of locally native species for regeneration and sets management actions for bushland and wetland zones.

Ongoing environmental management

The University's Operational Environmental Management Plan Guidance Document, dated July 2025, identifies biodiversity and landscaping as environmental aspects requiring active management at both Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses. It requires site-based environmental procedures and management plans to be implemented through day-to-day operations, with responsibilities for monitoring, review and continual improvement.

The University's environment and sustainability specifications list the Environmental Sustainability Plan, Environmental Sustainability Policy, Operational Environmental Management Plan and Callaghan Tree Management Procedure as part of the framework guiding campus works and operations.

These policies, plans and management practices help the University conserve native ecosystems, restore disturbed land and maintain the ecological values of its bushland and forested campuses as they continue to be used for teaching, research and community life.