Changing rules and regulations for recreational fishing in NSW

Assault on our native flora, fauna and their natural habitats

The benefits of affiliation

What EcoNetwork can bring to your organisation and your community. Affiliation with EcoNetwork brings with it a wider identification and acknowledgement of your local group, its concerns and issues needing to be addressed and supported ...

Dredging and reclamation in the Port Stephens Estuary

EcoNetwork advocates that a precautionary approach to dredging within the Port Stephens Estuary must be adopted by all management agencies. At the General Meeting held Friday 22 March 2013 EcoNetwork members decided that the principles on which the approach be based are: Applications/approvals must be preceded by comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment/Statements and cost benefit analyses to assess all potential environmental benefits versus adverse impacts of artificial sediment transport ...

Coastal development and its impacts on mangroves

By Hugh James, Environmental Science and Management student, Newcastle University Mangroves are referred to as the regulation and breeding hub of the marine ecosystem. Coastal development threatens fish and invertebrate breeding grounds where 75-90% of global fisheries species engage within vital mangrove structures during their life cycles. Human activities are threatening the existence of mangroves The Australian population has a love affair with the coast; some 85% of all Australians live within 50kms of the coastline. ...

EcoNetwork rejects coal seam gas mining

EcoNetwork is opposed in principle to the exploration and extraction of coal seam gas. We believe it is incompatible with the protection of the environment in Port Stephens and that production would pose an unacceptable risk to irreplaceable groundwater supplies, create huge volumes of highly saline wastewater and industrialise the landscape. Our policy has been reaffirmed in motions carried at two general meetings: 9 December 2011 GM: This meeting of EcoNetwork extends its congratulations to the Fullerton Cove ...

Long-term action is needed to protect pipi populations

EcoNetwork-Port Stephens has called on the New South Wales Government to adopt more rigorous policies to protect pipi populations, which are in serious decline on the Australian east coast. President Dr Bruce Pease sent the following letter on 5 March 2012 to the Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson MP, Minister for Primary Industry: SUMMARY As you have stated publicly, the pipi population is in decline on the whole east coast of Australia, some say to an alarming degree, indicating significant ...

For urgent review & update of the Port Stephens/Myall Lakes Estuary Management Plan 2000

EcoNetwork – Port Stephens has called for the beginning of groundwork to align estuary management processes with current best environmental practices that will enable sustainable management of the Port Stephens estuary, its environs, foreshores and catchments. Our objectives, guided by the Precautionary Principle, are: A literature review and assessment of the main contemporary and historical hydrological, sand accretion and migration, and siltation studies conducted on the Port Stephens estuary, towards a review and update of the Port ...

EcoNetwork – Port Stephens Inc. submission to the Independent Scientific Audit of Marine Parks in NSW

By Dr Bruce Pease 1.    Review the domestic and international commitments to conserving marine biodiversity, current actions for meeting these commitments and the effectiveness of these actions Econetwork Port Stephens Inc. is a sustainability and conservation based network of environmentally concerned citizen groups. While our primary focus is on community and environmental issues in the Port Stephens region, we try to think globally while acting locally. Therefore, we are addressing this state-wide review of marine parks with ...

EcoNetwork – Port Stephens Inc response to plans for a Newcastle Gas Storage Facility

By Dr Quentin Espey In response to your call for community comment EcoNetwork - Port Stephens Inc. declares our opposition in principle to the establishment of the Newcastle Gas Storage Facility primarily because it encourages the use of fossil fuels instead of renewable energy sources. In principle opposition to planning and allocating resources to promote fossil fuels We oppose the development of facilities anywhere along the supply chain that promote the use of fossil fuels. The notion that natural ...