Our October edition considers the complexity of beach erosion ~ the bigger picture of how beaches like Shoal Bay are starved of sand, and suggest longer-term solutions to investigate. Short term fixes here and at Corlette Beach are temporary.
Plunging from our shoreline, we invite you to a free screening of David Attenborough’s film OCEAN followed by a Q&A with a stella panel of marine experts. While Attenborough’s films are infamous for engendering empathy with nature, books are another avenue and feature in nature book week.
Last edition we discussed our groundwater’s all-time recorded high, here we explore the management and future challenges of the flood-prone Anna Bay drain system. Floods and other disasters contribute to our rising cost of living. We invite you to a sustainable home forum helping you save money, and we explore how our electricity price is determined.
Partners can magnify our effectiveness, which the Friends of Tomaree NP experienced on a recent corporate volunteer day and a special community bush regen event. If bush regen interests you, there’s an upcoming workshop at Tilligerry.
Tributes flowed with the sad passing of Jane Goodall, environmental advocate and disrupter, whose quotes inspire hope and action. “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make“. This poignant quote resonates as each EcoUpdate is loaded with stories of people making a difference.
Citizen scientists also make a difference and this month includes the Aussie Bird Count and Pollinator Week. Finally, November is festival month, with Spring Into Summer Community Picnic, Murrook Cultural Festival and EcoNetwork’s Sustainable Living Festival.
Enjoy your read, enjoy the festivals, and if you can, find ways to make a difference!
Sue Olsson
Acting Editor this issue info@econetworkps.org
Next issue, please submit stories before 22 November to info@econetworkps.au
Where are all our beaches going?
Our Port Stephens beaches, vital for tourism and recreation, are rapidly disappearing. Why is less sand being deposited? Storms more severe and frequent impact further. What happens if the Yacaaba spit is breached? Possible solutions to protect Shoal Bay and Government Road are proposed for investigation.
Anna Bay drainage ~ an overloaded complex system
A system near collapse: In the late 1800s, 5 landowners dug a drain, and formed a Union. Today the 5 landowners manage a huge system, including a township and hundreds of proposed new residential developments. Now at breaking point, financially and professionally, how does the Union, community and Council move forward?
Nature book week highlighted interesting reads
Celebrations like Nature Book Week stimulate us to reflect on books that inspire connections with nature, for us personally, or for our children or grandchildren. We bring you a few suggestions, newbies, old favs, some for big kids and lots for littlies too.
Electricity price ~ how does it happen?
Understanding our electricity prices is complicated. Here it’s simply explained how the various energy sources interplay to create our retail energy price.
FILM: OCEAN ~ free screening, Q&A marine experts
David Attenborough’s film, OCEAN, free screening Sunday 2 Nov.
EcoNetwork Port Stephens and the NSW Marine Sanctuary Alliance invite you to join us at the Nelson Bay Cinema. Donations are welcome.
JUST ANNOUNCED, Q&A panel of marine experts from near and far, follow the film.
Plenty on offer at our Sustainable Living Festival ~ 22 Nov 2025
Have you saved the day? You won’t want to miss this exciting day. Waste to Art is in full swing with 8 or so schools already entered. Jess of resourceful Living is ready with the BIG MELT ~ you can create your own mini recycled plastic ware. Tie dye some presents. That’s just a couple of teasers.
Make wildlife homes at the Festival
Whether it’s bee/Insect hotels, or various bird and possum boxes, join Port Stephens Woodworkers who’ll help you assemble the pre-cut wooden boxes. Pre-booking opens at the end of this week.
Story updates on our webpages
Take ACTION for conservation!
Our advocacy and submission
Environmental Planning Laws under attack
You can see all our recent submissions advocating for the environment here.
ECO-extras
● World Migratory Bird Day (11 October) celebrates their incredible journeys. Australia’s migratory birds are true global travellers, from tiny Silvereyes and Fairy Martins to mighty Far Eastern Curlews and Short-tailed Shearwaters. At Birdlife Australia, we are fighting to protect the wetlands, coastlines and flyways they depend on, as are we locally to protect Mambo Wetlands. But for some migratory birds, their journeys are getting harder as critical habitats disappear, both overseas and here at home.
● Tributes flowed with the sad passing of Jane Goodall. Articles in The Conversation exemplified the scope of her tremendous contributions to conservation. ‘Only if we help shall all be saved’: Jane Goodall showed we can all be part of the solution, and that we can all be respected researchers as well as passionate advocates.
Jane Goodall, the gentle disrupter whose research on chimpanzees redefined what it meant to be human. Goodall upended the study of animal behaviour, inspiring countless people to protect nature. She marvelled at the seemingly unremarkable backyard creatures (though she would never call them that) and retained her optimism and wide-eyed wonder.
‘Why we need more Jane Goodalls‘, ended with one of her most poignant quotes: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” We can only make the differences we need to make if we are more compassionate and better scientifically informed. And finally, Dr. Jane Goodall Quotes to Inspire Hope & Action!
● Global renewable energy generation surpasses coal for first time. ✅ “Record solar expansion and steady wind growth driving the world’s shift away from fossil fuels in 2025, report finds … marking a turning point for the global power system … A report by the climate thinktank Ember found that in the first six months of 2025, renewable energy outpaced the world’s growing appetite for electricity … China and India … Find out more…
● Misinformation, climate change, fossil fuel industry and the realm of PR companies, The Conversation, 2 October 2025.
● Nature and renewables toolkit was developed to help NSW communities who are grappling with how to achieve a renewables rollout that protects and enhances the local environment.
COMMUNITY calendar
Now – Nov: The Wildflower Art Walk has arrived at Yacaaba Art Walk, Nelson Bay
20-26 Oct: The Aussie Bird Count is underway, but it’s not too late to participate, see here with Birdlife Australia. The Guardian explains how and why you should take part, and contribute to a national insight into the effects of urban development and the changing climate on our feathered friends. Reporting trends show a decline in small garden birds like silvereyes and willy wagtails.
28 Oct: Migration, shorebirds, and the importance of Port Stephens with Neil Fraser
29 Oct: Webinar: Great Koala National Park from a simple idea to a major achievement. Join us to celebrate, reflect on a decade-long campaign, the lessons learned and inspiration looking forward.
Nov: Walk with the NPA in November: Yulerbah Track rainforest and beach delights Wed 12th, then two complementary walks on the Tomaree Coastal Walk, half day Sun 16th Fingal Bay to Boulder Bay return on scenic elevated inland tracks, then Wed 26th full day between Fingal Bay and One Mile Beach.
2 Nov: EcoNetwork Port Stephens invite you to a FREE afternoon screening of David Attenborough’s film, OCEAN, at the Nelson Bay Cinema. Donations are welcome. After the film, stay for the Q&A with a panel of marine scientists. Bookings here ~ going fast.
Nov: Participate with Friends of Tomaree National Park to help make a difference clearing invasive weeds to build some resilience to Tomaree National Park’s habitats. Find out more about the Friends of Tomaree National Park, come casually or regularly, choose from 4 locations with 8 different sessions ~ something for everyone!
8-16 Nov: Join in Australia Pollinator Week. (1) Pollinator Photography Competition and School Pollinator Art Competition celebrates pollinators. Closes 26 October. (2) Australian Pollinator Count is a Citizen Science project to improve understanding of the changes in insect abundance and diversity nationally and over time. Download their great pollinator learning guide.
9 Nov: Spring Into Summer Community Picnic with the South Tomaree Community Association. You’re invited to join us Sunday 9th November at Robinson Reserve, Anna Bay.
14 Nov: Bush regeneration workshop, everyone welcome. Principles of bush regen, and a closer look at grasses and ground covers. Held at Mallabula / Tilligerry. More information and bookings
15 Nov: Murrook Cultural Festival returns for 2025 with the inclusive theme “Wakulda”, (meaning ‘As One’), this family fun and free event welcomes ALL community/s to experience an evening of celebration and fun.
24 Nov: Save Money, Live Comfortably: The Sustainable Home Forum
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 to upload your environmental event ~ Promote your event.
CALL OUT for EcoUpdate articles and your help
NEXT ISSUE is our Festival issue, then EcoUpdate in late November/early December.
Please submit articles or email to discuss.
Submit EcoUpdate before 22 November to info@econetworkps.org
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