EcoUpdate: January 2024

Noisy, dangerous and intrusive – should jet skis be banned in Port Stephens?

As the number of licences issued for personal water craft (jet skis) continues to increase, so does the number of hoons, not just behaving badly but often endangering the lives of people and wildlife.

So is this a case of the actions of a few jet-skiers giving them all a bad name – or is it an activity that is simply not compatible with all the others in our Bay?

EcoNetwork is asking for your input so we can work together on addressing this issue before next summer comes around again.

Here are some options for your consideration.

NSW Plastics: Next Steps

Did you know that only 12% of NSW plastics are recycled?

If this upsets you – and it should – it’s time to speak out and contribute your ideas on how we can reduce non-reusable plastics in our daily lives.

The ‘NSW Plastics: Next Steps’ paper proposed by the EPA is our opportunity, as a community, to have input into an important step forward in reducing plastic waste.

Here are some ideas on what we think is important. Have a look and then it’s only 5 or 6 minutes to submit your opinion.

Read more

A cruel twist to plastics and our oceans

Marine scientist, seafarer and EcoNetwork president, Iain Watt, takes us sailing out on the big seas. And what he finds ain’t pretty.

The oceans have been used as a rubbish dump since time immemorial – out of sight out of mind, but eventually it will come round, and it looks like we are fast approaching that time. We are facing a sea soup full of plastic and increasing acidification due to climate change.

Read more

Port Stephens – a land shaped by fire and ice

Many of you know Neil Fraser as our local Tomaree bird expert and we have learnt a lot from him on the various walks and talks we’ve enjoyed. But did you know that Neil is a geologist by profession? His knowledge of the formations in and around Port Stephens coastline, and how they came about, are second to none.

Neil takes us on a journey through geological time and explains the development of our region and how our magnificent scenery came to exist – through explosive eruptions and the ice ages.

Read a lot more!

Be Shark Smart

The Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park protects some of the state’s most spectacular and rich marine biodiversity, including shark species. Sharks are a natural part of healthy oceanic and estuarine environments.

Port Stephens ranked 5^th in the total number of individual target sharks detected, and 8^th in total number of detections. This is from data collected from all 25 coastal LGAs in 2022-23.

However, abundance of sharks does not necessarily correlate to a higher number of human/shark incidents.

Find out more

Affiliate Profile – Readers’ Retreat

EcoNetwork’s newest business affiliate, Readers Retreat, has recently opened its doors. This local independent bookstore has already established links with two other EcoNetwork affiliates, the Raymond Terrace branch of Boomerang Bags and Salamander Bay Recycling.

You will find a great range of books and artwork including an impressive selection by local writers and artists. Friendly owner and book nerd, Alison Rogers, will help you place special orders and you can take advantage of the free home delivery service throughout Port Stephens.

Read more

Become a beach scientist this summer

When you arrive at your favourite beach this summer, you may notice something different about the coastline.

Thanks to a 3 year La Niña, our beaches have had a rollercoaster ride – but not always one we’re too thrilled about! Some beaches have been completely stripped of sand, while others have grown very wide.

CoastSnap is a project where coastal data is being collected by citizen scientists like you. It’s quite simple – find out how you can help.

Get involved

How are you coping this hot summer?

As heatwaves are prolonged and energy costs continue to rise, we offer you some advice on how to cope at home. There are some simple things you can change to make your home more comfortable, including your habits!

Renew Hunter Branch has lots of handy hints on things you can do to keep cool and includes info on what can be done for free, what government rebates are available, and reliable websites about making your home more energy efficient. 

Find out more

More submissions completed

No rest for the wicked! The Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association and EcoNetwork’s Koala Koalition continue to research, write and submit numerous submissions to help address and hopefully reduce some of the threats that residents and our natural environment continue to be faced with.

Here are a few recent ones:

• PFAS contamination at Williamtown
• Deep Creek Quarry
• Hunter Transmission Project Preliminary Corridor

Regent Update

In December 2023, the town of Kurri Kurri was threatened by a massive fire which destroyed homes and left many people in shock. We wish the community well as it rebuilds in the wake of these fires.

The fires also came just as the local ironbarks had started flowering. Some important Regent Honeyeater habitat got badly burnt, but the winds didn’t push the fires too far south into the Tomalpin Woodlands. Some of the mistletoe restoration sites were burnt but researchers are hopeful that no Regent Honeyeaters were present in Tomalpin at the time.  Mick Roderick, BirdLife’s Woodland Bird Manager, reports on this – and shares some good news on successful breeding in the Capertee Valley.

Read more

EcoExtras

• Bird Calendars by local nature photographer Mat Spillard are still available for 2024. There is a choice of 2 calendars. More details and how to order.
• Is it finally time to stop using Roundup and focus on non-chemical control? – ABC News 18 January 2024
• Ecological burn sparks new life for Lake Mac site – Newcastle Weekly 19 January 2024
• Climate protesters escape conviction – ABC News 16 January 2024. Magistrate said “[They are] valuable contributors to society, persons who are intelligent …”
• Rain accidentally appears on weather as ‘jaw-dropping’ occurrence blackens sky – Yahoo News 10 January 2024.
• Australia’s freight used to go by train not truck – bring back rail and cut emissions – The Conversation 19 December 2023
• Private landholders control 60% of the Australian continent – so let’s get them involved in nature protection – The Conversation 18 December 2023