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Community Forum puts decision-makers on notice

Community Forum puts decision-makers on notice

EcoNetwork’s recent Forum, Community change-makers defending the environment, enjoyed a great turn out, with nearly 50 participants gathering to hear a cast of speakers on these far-reaching issues.

The Forum, reported in the Port Stephens Examiner, is augmented here with images. Speaker presentations are provided for those who would like to delve a little further. Please note that Mambo Wetlands presentation from Murray Wood has been updated, clearly linking the issues discussed with the proposed housing on Mambo Wetlands buffer.

Community Forum puts decision-makers on notice

By Ewa Meyer
Convenor of Renew’s Hunter Region Branch

EcoNetwork Forum: Communities Creating Change and Defending the Environment

When it comes to disrespecting or disregarding the natural environment, our local, state and federal governments had better sit up and take notice. There are many active community groups and individuals across the Hunter Region building momentum intent on defending public assets which belong to us all.

A recent EcoNetwork Forum in Salamander Bay, Communities Creating Change and Defending the Environment, featured several expert speakers who are challenging destructive practices, strengthening environmental protections and building community resilience in the face of climate change.

Residents who have lived through catastrophic floods, fires and storms report that communities that are connected and prepared have each other’s backs when it’s needed most, and recover more quickly. The Climate Ready Newcastle project is about building resilience in the flood-prone Throsby villages.

Community organiser Jo Lynch outlined how people can prepare for, and respond to, climate impacts such as flooding and coastal inundation, drawing on lessons from Throsby Creek and findings from Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment.

‘The Fight for Mount Pleasant. In the Hunter Valley of NSW, a ragtag group of teachers, farmers and townsfolk is pitting itself against an international mining company. It’s a David and Goliath battle, the locals are determined to win.’ Australian Women’s Weekly, Feb 2024.

Forum presenters, Wendy Wales and Tony Lonergan of the ‘Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group’, led the recent NSW Court of Appeal case examining how climate impacts are considered in approvals for major fossil fuel projects. Their inspiring and emotional journey is motivating others to recognise that even large coal companies, and the support they get from state and federal governments, can be challenged by dedicated and passionate locals.  

Tony and Wendy said

‘We’re ordinary people who care about our community, the environment and our region’s future. This case is bigger than us. It’s about whether communities have the right to protect themselves from projects that threaten our future.’

The case heads toward a High Court appeal later this year and will be the first time the highest court in Australia has ever heard a climate case. Here’s more: chuffed.org/project/australiaclimatecase

On a smaller scale but of great significance in Port Stephens, members from the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group, are on a campaign with a taste of déjà vue. Only a few years ago, neighbours and group members of the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands were celebrating the end of a long and successful fight to save the Wetlands from development. Yet here they are again – shocked to see Port Stephens Council support what is, in Murray Woods’ words, ‘a fundamentally flawed Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan.’ Woods, a local architect, told the Forum attendees

‘Despite the title, this is not about revitalising the Town Centre. The primary uplift site sits inside the mapped buffer zone adjacent to the Mambo Wetlands.’

Good planning achieves housing and environmental protection together. It should not force the community to choose between them. Using NSW Government best practice apartment benchmarks, Woods presented an alternative scheme that would deliver a higher housing yield on better-suited land within the existing commercial footprint – without building inside the Wetland buffer. However this option was not meaningfully addressed before the Place Plan was unanimously adopted by Council at their November 2025 meeting. Our community now needs to ask ‘Is Council pursuing the most responsible, lowest-risk pathway to deliver housing — or is it choosing the most expedient one?’

At this stage, official public consultation will not occur until a DA is submitted but local residents are encouraged to contact their local ward councillors to understand why the Plan was adopted in its current form, and to express any concerns they may have  [ed: Murray Wood’s Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan Review presentation is revised].

The Community Forum brought us three very different campaigns, but all had one important message in common. Concerned residents are asking for more than just a token community consultation process. They want to be heard early in the planning process. They want a respectful, balanced and inclusive discussion. And in most cases, they want to find common ground. After all, we are all part of the same community.

Many of the strategies outlined were similar across the different campaigns. Bring the community with us, ensure they are well informed about the issue — ignorance is not bliss! Make sure everyone knows the facts –decision-makers will not listen if there is no accurate, sound argument to back up your objection. Try to explain the terminology as you go – not everyone knows what a GIPA, SEPP or DA is.

Above all, be persistent. Don’t be fobbed off by standard replies or generalisations. Do not take anything at face value, follow up on responses. Putting pressure on decision-makers must be honest, factual and polite. And remember – they need to be accountable.

Take home messages summarised by forum organiser, EcoNetwork vice-president Sue Olsson, also included teaming up with other groups to increase your impact and reach, incorporate fun elements into your campaign, and enjoy media attention from unexpected places — like the Women’s Weekly!

Presentations

Community change-makers defending the environment: Agenda

  1. Ground-breaking community action that’s changing law in fossil-fuel climate assessments ~ Wendy Wales and Tony Longeron (revised)
    The first ever climate case at Australia’s highest court ~ Stand with Wendy & Tony (video 2.3 mins at top of page) and if you can, please help these two retired teachers to take on a coal giant in the High Court of Australia
  2. Mambo Wetlands, What’s at stake? Implications of Council’s housing plan
  3. Building community resilience in climate disasters: flood-prone areas: Johanna Lynch