Relationships with Regional NGOs and Government for SDG Policy

The University of Newcastle works with local government, regional not-for-profit organisations, community partners and other agencies to turn the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into regional priorities and practical decisions. Through the Hunter Region SDG Task Force, the University contributes research, indicator development and evidence to help partners identify challenges, track progress and shape strategies for a more sustainable Hunter region.

Hunter Region SDG policy partnership

The University is a founding partner and supporter of the cross-sectoral Hunter Region SDG Task Force, established in 2020. The partnership brings together the City of Newcastle, state government representatives, regional not-for-profit organisations including the Samaritans, businesses and community stakeholders. By working through this shared forum, the University helps connect regional research with policy priorities and the decisions made by local institutions.

The University’s longstanding involvement is documented in its Hunter SDG partnership and leadership programme account, which describes the University’s patron membership of the Task Force and collaboration with regional organisations to implement the SDGs.

The Hunter Region Voluntary Local Review – launched in 2025

On 20 February 2025, partners publicly launched Australia’s first regional Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of progress towards the SDGs. The University of Newcastle, through CIFAL Newcastle and University researchers, worked with Home in Place, the City of Newcastle, the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and other Hunter Region SDG Task Force partners to develop an evidence base for regional sustainable development.

The review covers 10 local government areas and reports on more than 60 SDG indicators, helping partners understand regional conditions and identify where collective action is needed. More than 200 stakeholders contributed to the broader review initiative, according to partner reporting. Although the VLR is dated 2024, its public launch took place in February 2025; the review therefore represents work developed over several years and made publicly available to regional decision-makers during the reporting year.

The University’s contribution included leading data research and helping translate global SDG targets into measures meaningful for the Hunter. The review provides a foundation for monitoring local outcomes, guiding discussion about intervention priorities and informing future decisions by government, community and non-government organisations.

Hunter SDG Dashboard – monitoring regional priorities

The accompanying Hunter SDG Dashboard was developed through an earlier University-led co-design and research process, publicly available by 2024 and continuing as a regional evidence resource in 2025. A consortium of 18 funding partners engaged the University to identify locally relevant targets, indicators and data sources. More than 120 stakeholders helped identify 124 datasets, from which the team developed metrics for 54 indicators.

The dashboard makes information available across major dimensions of sustainability and helps regional organisations identify local challenges and opportunities, develop informed strategies, compare outcomes, monitor progress and adapt responses. It is intended for use by policymakers, community organisations and other stakeholders; the draft also records that local government uses the dashboard to inform policy and service provision.

CIFAL Newcastle and government–community collaboration

Hosted by the University of Newcastle, CIFAL Newcastle is part of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) global network. It supports the SDGs by strengthening the capacity of government officials, non-government organisations, businesses and communities to use research and practical knowledge in planning and implementation.

The University’s original account identifies engagement through CIFAL Newcastle with national agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), NSW Sustainability Advantage and Hunter-region non-government organisations. This work supports the identification of local development challenges, the co-design of policy and strategies, monitoring and reporting, and adaptive management. The 2025 Hunter Voluntary Local Review demonstrates this collaborative role through an identified regional policy-monitoring product.

Further 2025 collaboration supporting government environmental decisions

In July 2025, University researchers working on the Cook Islands Enhancing Nature’s Unique Areas project undertook catchment audits in Rarotonga with the National Environment Service. The University’s 2025 account of the collaboration documents fieldwork and engagement with government partners and civil-society organisations, including Muri Environment Care and Kōrero O Te ‘Ōrau. The work contributes evidence to environmental planning and stewardship in the Pacific, complementing the University’s regional SDG partnerships in the Hunter.

By bringing government, non-government organisations and research partners together around shared evidence, the University helps communities move from sustainability goals to informed policy and practical action. The Hunter SDG review and dashboard provide a lasting foundation for monitoring regional progress and strengthening decisions that benefit communities across the region.