EcoUpdate: January 2026

Welcome to the new year and our first issue of EcoUpdate for 2026. Trust you had time over our recent hot weeks to delve into our December issue.

Moving into 2026, our stories inform you of loads of forthcoming happenings. From a fantastic compilation of the many concerns with d’Albora Marina concept development ahead of the development application, to the good news of habitat restoration around the Tomaree Coastal Walk’s Boat Harbour entrances.

An enticing Mambo Walks & Talks February program for adults and kids, a stimulating EcoNetwork Forum looking at environmental change-makers and what we can learn in protecting and defending our environment. Our community events calendar has loads too, including walks and bush care locally and regionally,

And you may like to take some strategic action for conservation, whether supporting advocacy statewide or locally, see below. Every bit makes a difference.

Enjoy your read and this month you may like to try a new step in making a difference for our environment.

Sue Olsson
Acting Editor this issue info@econetworkps.org

Next issue, please submit stories before 10 February to info@econetworkps.au

d’Albora Marina development: is this right for Nelson Bay

Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association, in the interests of creating discussion, understanding and engagement, have delved into a range of features and issues associated with the marina’s concept plan and its appropriateness for Nelson Bay. Get the latest >>

Tomaree Coastal Walk’s Boat Harbour entrances to restore habitat

Thanks to a BUPA landcare grant, and additional NPWS assistance, the Friends of Tomaree National Park together with community have the opportunity to restore habitat along these entrances. You may like to get involved.

Find out more >>

Mambo Walks & Talks: celebrate World Wetlands Day, all February

Join the team for a smorgasbord of fantastic walks and talks each weekend in February, celebrating this fantastic area, its birds, diverse endangered communities, coastal systems, discovery with kids and more. Take a peak >>

Forum: Communities creating change & defending the environment

Immerse yourself in this diverse and stimulating program to hear how change-makers are defending the environment, their processes and engagements, and what we can learn as we face local issues. Book your seat >>

Take ACTION for conservation

2026 is a critical year for nature

Nature Action Network: Join NSW’s biggest citizen lobby for nature. Both major parties are finalising their election platforms, deciding whether to support or end native forest logging, strengthen nature laws, expand protections for rivers and wetlands, and back or oppose new coal and gas projects.

This is the moment when public pressure matters most.

Find out more about the Nature Action Network >>

Let’s get environment on our Council’s election advocacy

Council has community advocacy priorities which it reviews regularly, but seemingly no advocacy for our environment. We’d love to hear your suggestions for big picture items EcoNetwork can request Council to include in their advocacy ahead of the 2027 election.
Email info@econetworkps.org

Koala quiz, rally, submit to stop Moolarben Coal Mine

You’re invited to join in on a quirky koala quiz, a rally where it counts, and submit to stop Yancoal’s big Moolarben Coal Mine expansion into critical koala territory.

Join in and find out more >>

UPDATES

Sustainable Living Festival evaluation summary

Homegrown Markets and EcoNetwork appreciate the University of Newcastle’s student work undertaken in evaluating the benefits, learnings, enjoyment and other factors of the 2025 festival as well as future improvements. Take a look >>

Where have all our beaches gone?

As more frequent and severe storms claim more of all beaches, other areas are considering artificial reefs following successful trials which reduced over 20% of the wave energy and provided a host of other values too. Read more >>

In addition to our advocacy in these stories, you can see our recent submissions advocating for the environment here. Submissions here.

ECO-extras

● ABC’s An epic story more than 65,000 years in the making ~ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have walked, worked and celebrated this land for millennia. Their cultures endure, alive in every story, every place, and every moment today. If you have not already delved into DEEP TIME, then take a journey into a story like no other. Delve into DEEP TIME

● What to say if your ancestors caused harm to Aboriginal People ~ a thought-provoking perspective from the Dhiiyaan Nhanya Aboriginal Genealogy. Sit in the truth. Acknowledge it. Then choose what kind of ancestor you want to be. The link is to their facebook post, just press close when Facebook asks you to join, and the story is available. A worthy ready

● More trees are dying in Australian forests as the world warms ~ from Tasmania’s cool temperate forests to our tropical savannahs, but just how this happens has scientists puzzled. Find out more.

COMMUNITY calendar

January

Tues 27: Migration, shorebirds, and the importance of Port Stephens with Neil Fraser. ornithologist, geologist and Port Stephens resident.

Tues 27: When Cities Burn Webinar: Could the Los Angeles fires happen here? Understand how fire risk is changing – particularly in and around cities, where people, homes and infrastructure are increasingly exposed. Using new analysis presenters will examine how climate change is driving more dangerous fire conditions.

Wed 28: Morning NPA walk follows Port Stephens foreshore, bush, beach and paths, from Nelson Bay (east near Diggers) to Wanda Village, with optional Thai lunch 9km, Grade 3

Wed 28: Join in the quirky koala trivia to submit to stop Yancoal’s big Moolarben Coal Mine expansion

Thurs 29 – Sun 1 Feb: Barrington NP: Scotch Broom control Little Murray Campground 4WD access

February

Thurs 5: Join in the quirky koala trivia to submit to stop Yancoal’s big Moolarben Coal Mine expansion

Sat 7, am: Mambo Birding for beginners, a fun exploration suitable for primary school-aged kids – Miranda Moore.

Sat 7, am: Mambo Wetland Bushwalking – off the track with John Simpson.

Sat 7, 3pm: Talk ~ Birds of Mambo’s Coastal Forest with Neil Fraser.

Sun 8, 10am-1pm: Festival with fun kids activities, displays, celebrating the Launch of East Asian Australasian Flyway Art Competition. Apex Park Nelson Bay. More information

Multiple February dates, Bush regeneration and help make a difference with the Friends of Tomaree National Park, come casually or regularly, everyone welcome, 4 locations between the park’s northern and southern ends with 8 opportunities (Sun 1, Tues 3, Sat 7, 14, 21, Mon 16, Thurs 19, Fri 27)

Wed 11: All day NPA walk: Barrington Tops NP, Rocky Crossing Trail – we all love the Rocky Crossing Trail, and it’s perfect for a warm day — shady trails, magnificent tall rainforest trees and opportunities for a refreshing dip. Optional accommodation, introductory offer, at the Barrington Guest House.

Fri 13 am: Grass ID for Bush Regenerators for leaders and volunteers. Get to know your local coastal grasses, whether weeds or natives.

Sat 14, am: Mambo Birding for beginners, a fun exploration suitable for primary school-aged kids – Miranda Moore.

Sun 15, am Explore Mambo’s diversity, walking in its deepest parts – John Simpson.

Sun 15 am: Morning NPA walk: Tomaree NP’s Fingal fire trails with views into the park and over Fingal Bay, to reach a lesser known lookout with magnificent views.

Sun 15, pm Walk and talk about the Mambo shoreline – Iain Watt & Bob Creese.

Thurs 19 – Sun 22: Barrington NP: Scotch Broom control Polblue Campground 2WD access

Sun 22 am: Natures discoveries through the lens – Sue Johnson and Sue Olsson.

Sun 22 pm: EcoNetwork Forum: Communities creating change & defending the environment.

Mon 25: All day NPA walk: Myall Lakes, two shorter walks to Johnsons Beach and Mungo Brush’s rainforest walk.

Promote your environmental events on our Community Calendar

Did you know you can submit your own environmental or sustainability events to our Community Calendar and then to EcoUpdate?

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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