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13 October, 2025

Growing Our Campus, Protecting Our Greens

With so many exciting new developments taking shape across our campus, one question often arises: What about the trees? At Curtin, trees are incredibly important. They provide shade, food and shelter for wildlife, improve air quality, support biodiversity, and offer a sense of place – carrying with them the living history of our campus. That’s why every tree is treated with care and respect.

Preservation is always the priority. In close partnership with landscapers and ecologists, we aim to retain existing trees or relocate them wherever possible. Removal is only ever a last resort. Even then, the story doesn’t end there.

From loss to life

When trees are felled, they’re not discarded – they’re repurposed. The wood is mulched and used across campus to help native plants and new greenery flourish in garden beds and landscaped areas.

Some trees, however, leave a deep legacy. Several years ago, over 200 seeds were carefully collected from our pine trees and nurtured offsite. In March of this year, those seeds returned home – replanted as young saplings in Henderson Court and along University Boulevard. They’ve successfully taken root, with more on the way next year.

A young sapling in Henderson Court A young sapling in Henderson Court A young sapling in Henderson Court

Planted with purpose

Every new planting is part of a larger plan – guided by the Greater Curtin Master Plan and the Living Knowledge Stream. This means considering both what the land needs now and what it may become. When Exchange was built, the land just north of Building 418 was earmarked for future development, so we planted shorter-lived species. These still create valuable insect habitats and help support local biodiversity, even if the plants won’t be there forever.

Before construction of Exchange After construction of Exchange

Innovation and sustainability thrive side by side

We wove sustainability into every decision, so nothing is an afterthought. In 2015, Curtin was awarded Australia’s first 5 Star Green Star Community rating, which was elevated five years later to 6 Stars. This year, our Bentley Campus proudly secured its re-certification, reaffirming our commitment to world-class sustainability.

This recognition reflects our best-practice approach such as to stormwater management – where we reduce our impact on local waterways, helping prevent flooding, protecting habitats, and supporting local biodiversity.

As new developments and technologies emerge, Curtin remains committed to balancing growth with green space protection ensuring that as research, education, and business facilities grow, so too does the natural environment that sustains them.

By caring for every part of the ecosystem, we’re not just shaping a sustainable campus – we’re cultivating a lasting legacy for generations to come.

An aerial view of the Exchange precinct.
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