Nigel is a community and environmental champion of Port Stephens. He has given 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 NP, Koala Koalition, and many more. He has generously shared his passion and knowledge about making Port Stephens a great place!   Read more

‘There has been a failure by government to engage in strategic planning in relation to quarry developments despite calls for this from the community. Unless of course the strategic plan is to simply transform our area into a super quarry for Sydney.’ Save Balickera inc.   Read more

The Community is deeply concerned about the 3,500 lot paper subdivision adjacent to the village covering about 800 hectares, and currently zoned Rural Landscape RU2. Unlawful development and land clearing is accelerating, and is damaging the local environment.   Read more

On Schools Tree Day this year, local Landcare groups Mambo-Wanda Wetlands and Soldiers Point-Salamander Bay joined Tomaree High School in a joint weed-and-plant event. Margaret Lamond gave a brief history of the site, referring to the plaque at nearby Johnny’s Well.   Read more

Port Stephens bushcare groups support the regulation of the garden industry to ensure they don’t sell seeds or potted plants of invasive varieties. Relying on Bunnings and others to do the right thing hasn’t worked, despite available listings of plants most prone to becoming weeds.   Read more

ENVIRONMENTAL SABOTAGE ~ A chainsaw wielding vandal claims at least 8 mature trees, and additional saplings on the iconic Bridle Path. Community absolutely incensed. PLEASE REPORT if you know anything. Community loss of shade trees, wildlife habitat, climate control and oxygen ~ for what, improved views? How is Council responding now and into the future? Leave your thoughts here.   Read more

We help you create a wildlife-friendly garden by offering hints and tips on how to attract local wildlife to your garden, what to plant and how to keep wildlife as safe as possible while they’re visiting. Includes a habitat planting guide and brochure.   Read more

The graceful Gould’s Petrel is one of Australia’s conservation successes, brought back from near-extinction three decades ago. Though land-based threats were managed successfully, recent declines in its population pose a puzzle, and have sent Dr Yuna Kim of the Australasian Seabird Group and BirdLife Australia’s Emily Mowat out to sea to find the answers.   Read more

I hope you find some time to read this November issue of EcoUpdate, sadly my last. There’s a bumper issue to get through, so get a cuppa, or something stronger, put your feet up and see what Port Stephens has been up to lately!   Read more

The efforts of our local community to protect Mambo and Wanda Wetlands have been well documented. But what about the Worimi women’s sacred site at Wanda? Kathy Brown explains.   Read more

Last year, Renew members & friends toured the Resourceful Living plastic factory and were excited to see a circular economy in action. Sadly, in October, police investigated a suspicious fire that destroyed this Hodge family business.   Read more

Many Australians believe the transition to renewables has yet to begin, yet we’re nearly halfway there with over 40% of our electricity being generated by renewable sources. But the rollout isn’t rolling smoothly – find out how it could be improved.   Read more

In our effort to decarbonise our world to reduce climate impacts, a raft of new energy projects being rolled out create some concern as to how they may impact our natural environment and wildlife. This is what has been termed the Green vs Green dilemma.   Read more

There is some pushback on the development of offshore wind farms. Their environmental impact assessments/statements will have to be demonstrably independent and transparent so they cannot be accused of being biased or influenced by the proponents and therefore unacceptable to sectors of the community,   Read more

A call for alliances to act on climate and social justice. The first EcoNetwork community forum of the year was held last month. Around 80 people packed the Tomaree Community Hall to hear Dr Mark Diesendorf call on communities to form alliances to combat the power of vested interests over government and institutions.   Read more