Welcome to 2025 and our little EcoUpdate to start our year.
Our stories so early in the year do sadden us and we’re looking for your help!
Long time resident and community and environment champion, Nigel Waters, is returning to the UK. We’ve provided just a smidgen of his fantastic contribution to the Port Stephens environment. It’ll take a troop to replace Nigel as his fingers are in every environmental issue. THANK YOU Nigel for everything you’ve done to make Port Stephens a better place. You’ll find our perception of his contribution fascinating.

Our second story is absolutely devastating ~ environmental sabotage along one of our foreshore’s most treasured coastal pathways. We’re calling out to anyone who knows anything, no matter how small, to alert Council’s compliance teams, and EcoNetwork is calling on the community for suggestions about what community and council can do into the future.
And finally, a huge THANK YOU to our retiring EcoUpdate editor, Ewa Meyer. Ewa has worked diligently to create EcoUpdate since its inception in August 2021, with a magnificent 26 issues that populated our now praiseworthy website, bringing you a host of environmental stories across Port Stephens. Ewa’s combined editorial skills, diverse contacts and breadth of knowledge across a wide range of topics, as well as her digital prowess, will be impossible to replace. We’re saddened to loose Ewa ~ we’ll need a whole team now
Enjoy your read!
EcoNetwork committee
Contact us: info@econetworkps.org
Nigel Waters ~ a community and environmental champion!

There’s so much we’ll miss about Nigel – his dedication, intellect and passionate contribution as he strove in making Port Stephens a better place!
Nigel championed community, involving and subtly leading to bring people together. He was so often the ‘glue’ that helped make things stick, as he aimed to achieve a fairer, more sustainable environment here in Port Stephens.
As an environmental champion, he gave so much of his time to numerous volunteer groups including EcoNetwork Port Stephens, Port Stephens Greens, Climate Action Port Stephens, the Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association, Nelson Bay West Landcare, Friends of Tomaree National Park, the Koala Koalition, and many more.
Nigel has been likened to a Lilly Pilly, warm, colourful and yet resilient and pervading. There’s so much more to discover about the Nigel who’ll soon be returning to his home country, the UK.
Environmental sabotage ~ community incensed at a chainsaw wielding vandal

Our iconic Bridle Path, between Nelson Bay Marina and Dutchman’s Beach, was the scene of a significant environmental crime when a chainsaw wielding vandal claimed numerous mature trees, and additional saplings.
Community loss of shade trees, wildlife habitat, climate control and oxygen, our aesthetic pleasure when walking, and a possible safety risk should the trees fail ~ for what, improved views?
Council is asking anyone who knows anything, no matter how small, to PLEASE REPORT it. How is Council responding now and into the future? What sorts of deterrents could be exercised? EcoNetwork is asking for your thoughts.
Call out for articles for EcoUpdate and your help

NEXT ISSUE ~ we’re aiming for another EcoUpdate at the end of February so please submit articles for consideration by mid February.
Submit by 15 February to info@econetworkps.org
We’re calling out to our EcoUpdate community for help with EcoUpdate. We’re hoping for just a small team to assist on a variety of tasks ~ whether it is finding local stories, photos for our articles, local community environmental events, or relevant environmental stories from in the news ~ a myriad of small tasks will make a big job easier. Just email us at info@econetworkps.org
Updates to existing webpages
Community Calendar
See our Community Events Calendar, it’s just getting started for 2025! See how to submite your event below.
February: Discover the beauty and mystery of our oceans at Out of Sight, Out of Mind, an incredible Virtual Reality experience by @underwater.earth. Explore vibrant underwater worlds from Australia and beyond, all from the comfort of the Murrook Culture Centre, Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown
Monday 3 February: Thrive in 2025, with sustainability educators, Good for the Hood for an online event kickstarting a better 2025. Join our special Money, Resilience and Energy guests for expert tips on a more affordable, lower-stress and more comfortable home. It’s your New Year’s step towards thriving at home!
Wednesday 19 February: Hunter Climate Innovation and Investment Summit, explores the future of climate tech and decarbonisation on a one-day summit bringing together aspiring entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, climate innovators, and investors.
February: Walk with Port Stephens Bushwalking Group, part of the National Parks Association. February we’re focussing on shady walks. Our first walk for 2025, Wed 5 Feb, Barrington Tops Blue Gum Loop and Rocky Crossing on the Williams River, offers shady walks and swimming in river pools surrounded by rainforest. Or Sunday 16 Feb, walk our Foreshore Nelson Bay to Wanda / Salamander Bay. Or Wed 19 Feb explore the Tilligerry Peninsula in the Tanilba Bay Area and finally for Feb, enjoy Glenrock SCA’s, Yulelarbah to North Dudley Headland circuit provides a shady rainforest gull walk to the beach. Here.s the 2025 program Walking program.
February: Contribute to a more resilient Tomaree National Park, casually or regularly, with the Friends of Tomaree National Park. Over February, join us for one of the 9 coast or bush care activities at 3 locations, with a fourth location coming onboard in March. February dates include North Tomaree/Zenith area Sat 1, Tues 4 & Thurs 20, Central Tomaree/Boat Harbour area Sat 8 & Mon 17, and South Tomaree/Fishermans Bay Sun 12& Tues 18. See our calendar for more dates, locations and contact.
Thursday 6 March: Hunter Community Alliance Assembly 2025, at the University of Newcastle invites you to register for the 2025 HCA Federal Pre-Election assembly. Join us to demonstrate the power of civil society.
How to submit events to our Community Calendar
Did you know you can submit your own environmental or sustainability events to EcoUpdate?
Here’s how following our website menu – GET INVOLVED / Community Events Calendar / Promote your event ~ simple!, or save this direct link to Promote your event.

EcoNetwork Port Stephens
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.
EcoNetwork Port Stephens acknowledges we live, work and learn on Worimi Country
www.econetworkps.org : secretary@econetworkps.org : facebook