Sustainable Use, Conservation and Restoration of Land

The University of Newcastle has formal policy commitments and campus‑level actions in place to conserve, restore and sustainably manage its terrestrial ecosystems including forested and bushland areas.

Policy Basis

  • Environmental Sustainability Policy (Clause 13: Biodiversity and Landscaping)
    This policy explicitly commits the University to the conservation and restoration of ecosystems, including those on campus (forests, bushland, wetlands etc.), ensuring their sustainable use in university operations and planning. This policy was effective from the 8th of December 2022 and will be reviewed in December 2025.
  • Biodiversity & Landscaping Goals
    Under its sustainability goals, the University recognises the remnant native bushland, forests, riparian zones, and wetlands on its campuses as ecosystems of high conservation value, and commits to active management, restoration and enhancement of these landscapes.

Initiatives & Actions

  • Callaghan Campus Bushland & Wetland Management
    The University manages approximately 25 hectares of remnant native bushland and wetlands on its Callaghan campus (within a ~140 ha area), including ecosystems like the Coastal Foothills Spotted Gum (Ironbark Forest), Riparian Closed Forest and freshwater wetlands. These are protected, managed, and restored under campus landscaping and biodiversity programs.
  • Species Diversity
    These ecosystems support a rich diversity: ~188 native flora species, 116 bird species, 14 native mammal species, 11 frog species, 18 reptile species, including occasional sightings of migratory or threatened species such as Powerful Owl, Grey‑headed Flying‑fox, Little Eagle etc. Active habitat management supports these populations.
  • Restoration and Improvement
    The University is committed to ongoing restoration: improving degraded areas, rehabilitating vegetation, managing weeds, maintaining ecological connectivity and protecting soil, hydrology and understory structure in forested and bushland parts of its campuses.

Research stories