Our December issue will keep you busy over the summer months with encouragement to look out for kingfishers, and a catchup on our many local nature concerns.
We present a disturbing story of how our current planning does not enable our environment, economy and social equity to coexist, from koalas to wetlands, but it doesn’t need to be that way. Again we ask you to do everything possible to save our Kings Hill koalas. Our Mambo Wetland ecosystem has taken a threatening step closer with its protective buffer earmarked for development, and together with the Shoal Bay carpark opening, never has Joni Mitchell sung a truer word: ‘They paved paradise and put up a parking lot‘. How much do we as a community and Council value our nature?
Council has delivered us an Emissions Reduction Action Plan with a great roadmap, but unfortunately without a future vision to 2050. And we appreciate Council’s role in helping to refuse the AB Rises development at Anna Bay which has met with great relief.
We wish you good cheer and safe travels for the festive season, and we look forward to a greener and more protected 2026 for Port Stephens.
Sue Olsson
Acting Editor this issue info@econetworkps.org
Next issue, please submit stories before 15 January to info@econetworkps.au
A tale of five kingfishers ~ a Hunter first
Late Spring 2025, for possibly the first time, five different Kingfishers were all in the Hunter Region at the same time. Do you know your kingfishers?
Environment, economy and social equity – can’t we have it all?
From wetlands to koalas, a thoughtful opinion piece which includes an explanation from an eminent past Treasurer Secretary on why nature always loses out, when there is no wholistic approach and development is only considered project by project.
What’s next with singe-use plastics?
NSW Environment Protection Authority has released its long-awaited Plastics Plan 2.0 – a staged timeline to 2030, for the reduction in availability of single-use plastics. But there’s more to do!
What a hoot ~ our Sustainable Living Festival
With a diverse program, a range of environmentally-based stalls and a large market place curated In conjunction with HomeGrown, our 2025 Festival was another great success. Talks, workshops, kids zone and entertainment combined for a fantastic day. See the snippets from the day and the preliminary feedback.
Take ACTION for conservation
Please tell us if you know where our Rainbow Lorikeets roost en masse?
They’re a familiar sight around our LGA, but we only know of one remaining mass roosting site in Tomaree, maybe only in Autumn – at the marina in Nelson Bay, which is slated for development. There’s also an Autumn mass roosting site in Raymond Terrace.
Do you know of other mass roosting sites in our LGA?
A Hunter-wide project underway is calling on us all to contribute our observations.
Please email Neil Fraser via info@econetworkps.au if you know of another mass roosting site!
Kings Hill koalas still need your support ~ they’re critical to all Port Stephens koalas
Kings Hill koalas are the most genetic diverse koalas in the LGA, new studies reveal, and vital to revive Port Stephens koalas. BUT they need connected habitat. Current Kings Hill developments are waiting approval at the State and Council levels. We need to STOP more development and reconnect habitats. Please ACT, sign this petition, write to politicians or act in other ways to help too.
UPDATES on our local nature issues
Mambo-Wanda Wetlands ~ a travesty of justice
Community are devastated that our councillors unanimously approved the Salamander Bay Town Centre Plan, despite some councillors publicly expressing their grave concerns. Why aren’t they exercising the precautionary principle? Why are they proceeding when community majority don’t want development west of the library?
Net Zero, TO BE or NOT TO BE?
After much controversy aired in the community over Council’s Emission Reduction Action Plan (ERAP), and Carbon Neutrality or Net Zero, Council’s final outcome approves the worthy Plan, but there’s no goal or vision as to when get there. Unacceptable in this era of storms, floods and fire!
Great news in Anna Bay
Paradise paved
Nature laws ~ a state of confusion
NSW Nature laws seemingly provided discrepancies between what we were told in the media, and reassurances from our State MP. Also find out what you can still do to help.
Our advocacy and submission
In addition to our advocacy in these stories, you can see our recent submissions advocating for the environment here.
ECO-extras
● Tomaree Lodge, look out for the December progress update which will soon be released. And on this page you’ll find out about the longer-term picture of what’s happening and the preliminary concept updates.
● Port Stephens locals, Rita and James, feature in Grand designs: Shepherds Ground Farm and Village, Butterwick, is the site in which they’re planning a $230,000 self-build sustainable, off-grid family home, with recycled plastic bags, milk cartons, home-made bricks, and an earthen floor. S12 E9 Hunter Valley Watch how they go!
● D’Albora Marina concerns many of us. From loss of visual connection from the town to coast, excessive building heights, reduced community space, loss of mature trees and the potential Autumn Rainbow Lorikeet mass roosting site, lack of parking, potential impacts to small businesses, and the list goes on. Tune into EcoNetwork’s affiliate Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association to keep up to date on their web page and/or on the Voice of Tomaree Facebook where much of the detail is provided.
COMMUNITY calendar
December
Mon 15: Nature Laws Update: Our nature laws are changing – will they halt the extinction crisis?
Wed 17: Clean4Shore: Hunter Wetlands National Park
Thurs 18 at Fingal north (from Shoal Bay), Bush Care with Friends of Tomaree National Park
January
Tues 27 Jan: Migration, shorebirds, and the importance of Port Stephens
Thurs 29 – Sun 1 Feb: Barrington NP: Scotch Broom control Little Murrary Campground 4WD access
February
Multiple February dates, Bush regeneration with the Friends of Tomaree National Park, come casually or regularly, everyone welcome, 4 locations and 8 opportunities!
Thurs 19 – Sun 22: Barrington NP: Scotch Broom control Polblue Campground 2WD access
Promote your environmental events on our Community Calendar
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Here’s how following our website menu – GET INVOLVED / Community Events Calendar / Promote your event.
OR Save our direct link “Promote your event” to upload your environmental event.
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Our Vision: Ecologically sustainable communities existing in harmony with the natural environment.
Our Purpose: To support our members and to educate and advocate on environmental issues that impact Port Stephens communities.
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