EcoNetwork is now a registered Charity
We are delighted EcoNetwork Port Stephens obtained Charity registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), in April 2025.
There are advantages for both EcoNetwork, and potentially for some of our affiliates too, either directly or by association
For example:
- Access to grants and funding
Charities are often able to raise funds from the public, grant-making trusts, and government bodies more easily than non-charitable organisations. Registration also allows access to government grants and deductible gift recipient (DGR) status, making donations tax-deductible for donors. EcoNetwork is also applying for DGR status.
- Credibility and public trust
Being a registered charity increases credibility and trust with donors, volunteers, and the public. Registration with ACNC signals compliance with regulatory standards and good governance.
- Tax benefits
Registered charities can access significant tax concessions, including exemptions from income tax, capital gains tax, and stamp duty, though these currently do not seem relevant to EcoNetwork.
Already EcoNetwork’s special interest group, Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens, has taken advantage of our charity status.
EcoNetwork is approved as a Charity for these purposes (called subtypes):
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Advancing the natural environment
Includes, but is not limited to
- protecting, preserving, caring for and educating the community about the natural environment
- preserving native flora and fauna
- rescuing or caring for native animals
- preserving or rehabilitating habitats.
Advancing education
The most applicable areas for EcoNetwork include
- publicly available research directed to expanding human knowledge
- less formal education aimed at developing core life skills
- providing prizes and scholarships.
Advancing public debate
Described as
- promoting or opposing a change to any matter established by law, policy or practice in the Commonwealth, a state, territory or another country, and
- this change must further one of Charity purposes, designated as sub types for which EcoNetwork is approved (as above).
You may like to read more about Charity subtypes
We identified the activities that form EcoNetwork’s Charity
1/ EcoNetwork’s core and ongoing activities that form the Charity
Advocate ~ Campaign for environmentally responsible decision-making
We plan to achieve this through:
- Responding to development proposals
- Proactively developing policy position statements
- Representing affiliates on consultation and advisory bodies
- Supporting special interest groups and affiliates advocating for responsible protection of nature including koalas, wetlands, natural areas
Educate ~ Share information to support environmental sustainability and cultural heritage
We plan to achieve this through:
- Delivering educational opportunities including seminars, tours, workshops, forums, stalls
- Partnering in planning and delivering a family-oriented Sustainable Living Festival abut each 18 months – 2 years (2 to date) Delivering comprehensive website, e-newsletters and social and news media
- Accessing expertise and science-based research.
Support ~ Assist our affiliates and individual members in achieving their objectives in line with our constitution
We plan to achieve this through:
- Keeping affiliates informed about current issues, events and resources including monthly reports, EcoUpdate e-publication, social media and events calendar.
- Providing networking opportunities
- Promoting affiliates events and campaigns
- Recognising and promoting affiliates on our website.
Manage ~ Conduct our organization with integrity and transparency
We plan to achieve this through
- Meaningful participatory engagement with affiliates
- Integrity, transparency and accountability
- Supporting our diverse network of autonomous affiliates
- Cooperating with other community-based organisations
- Aspiring to fairness and equity in all our dealings.
2/ EcoNetwork’s possible future projects not routinely undertaken as part of our core activities
Advocate ~ Campaign for environmentally responsible decision-making in tree and habitat retention
This project helps to conserve our terrestrial ecosystems, promote ecologically sustainable communities and address climate change.
EcoNetwork plans to provide a renewed focus to our retention of trees in Port Stephens, both as urban street trees and general habitat, across all the habitat strata.
We will encourage tree retention, through promoting the value of trees as part of our biodiversity, as well as their value in shade creation to address climate change.
Additionally, we will encourage Council to ensure its tree retention policies and Developmental Approval processes are more sensitive to preventing tree loss. We will report tree loss that we believe could readily be avoided and strategic tree planting where applicable.
Through the Environment Advisory Group to Port Stephens Council, or other means, we plan to identify strategic corridors that link current parks and reserves and develop strategies to enhance those linkages or other strategic corridors. The next phase will look at how to implement those strategies.
Educate ~ Co-deliver Sustainable Living Festival
EcoNetwork, in partnership with other organisations, is planning a Sustainable Living Festival for 2026. This is a special and major event in which we organise a range of sustainable and environmental groups, speakers, services and products to display or run activities and workshops as well as relevant presentations, dance and music, to further encourage awareness of sustainable living. EcoNetwork has successfully provided two festivals in the last few years and this will be our third.
EcoNetwork can partner with, or auspice for, our affiliates
Our Affiliates can potentially take advantage of EcoNetwork’s Charity status for activities that they undertake that are part of our approved purposes and align with our activities.