An eco-friendly welcome
Welcome to EcoNetwork Port Stephens, a not-for-profit and 100% volunteer-run organisation dedicated to the interest of all who treasure and want to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of our Port Stephens estuary, peninsulas and rural hinterland.
Featured Events
WALK: Beach to Bush trails & Gan Gan lookout
August 5 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm“Evergreen: a botanical life”. Public talk by renowned Australian botantist Dr Tim Entwistle AO
August 7 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pmTomaree NP: Wildflower colour, curiosities & learning short walks
August 8 @ 1:00 pm - 3:30 pmWALK: Spion Top, Kariong Brisbane Waters National Park
August 12 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Port Stephens contains diverse landscapes including native forests, sand dunes, mangroves and wetlands as well as unique offshore reefs, islands and marine habitats. Our local community has the challenge to protect these natural assets from the ongoing pressures of unsustainable development, tourism and water-based activities.
EcoNetwork Port Stephens, in partnership with many local affiliated groups and businesses, is also closely involved with current statewide, national and global environmental emergencies such as habitat destruction, climate change and plastic pollution.
Join us and enjoy sharing your experiences, expanding your knowledge and contributing to the healthy and happy environment that is Port Stephens.
GOOD NEWS from Mambo Wetlands 🐨
Council has agreed NOT to build on Mambo’s Buffer zones. This includes the area to the west of Tomaree Library plus the area to the north of the Salamander Bay Shopping Centre.
Council will undertake to rezone the buffer from Commercial to C2 Environmental Conservation, protecting the buffer for the future.
We still need your help to ensure Mambo’s long-term protection. 👏🏼
Can you attend the 25 August Council meeting when the General Manager will deliver a report on developments near Mambo Wetlands?
H5 bird flu confirmed in NSW
There have been confirmed detections of H5N1 – a serious and contagious strain of bird flu posing significant risks to wildlife, ecosystems and especially our threatened species – in wild birds in New South Wales.
If you notice sick or dead birds or other animals showing signs of bird flu, you should not touch them or get too close. Record your location and report it to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on ☎️1800 675 888
Discover our wildflowers 🌼
Enjoy one of several easy, slow-paced walks over 2.5 km making them suitable for most people who want to learn about wildflowers, or a full day walk over Tomaree’s high and low trails to experience the park’s colourful tapestry.
Help stop Bobs Farm sand quarry
Koalas, powerful owls and flying foxes call this their home on Nelson Bay Road. 50 objections are needed before closing on 12 August
Our areas of focus
Our Network in Action
Swan Bay DA – a win for the environment
Swan Bay DA – a win for the environment and the Far Eastern Curlew In an important win for the environment, a proposed tourist accommodation park at 1107 Swan Bay … Read more
Mambo Wetlands still needs your urgent help to protect it into the future
Mambo Wetlands needs your urgent help NOW to ensure changes to the proposed Salamander Town Centre Development fully protect Mambo Wetlands TODAY and INTO THE FUTURE Read more
Mambo Wetlands Community Forum
Mambo Wetlands Community Forum – Presentation by Kathy Brown, Secretary Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group – May 2026 Read more
Planning integrity and the Mambo Wetlands buffer: what the Salamander Bay Place Plan really proposes
Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan Review Read more
Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan ~ Is history repeating itself?
Mambo Wetlands, and its endangered ecological communities, is again under threat, this time from development in the (draft) Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan. WE NEED TO ACT! Read more
EcoUpdate Highlights
H5 bird flu confirmed nearby in NSW
H5 bird flu poses significant risks to wildlife, ecosystems and especially our threatened species. Read more
EcoUpdate: June 2026
Winter encourages some to linger indoors, for others it’s an ideal time to get outdoors. In this EcoUpdate, we encourage you to embrace the spirit of the cooler season by dedicating some time to help drive change to safeguard our planet. Read more
Wildlife & koala corridor to be protected
In a win for the environment, Council plans to rezone land to support a koala and wildlife corridor as well as provide for limited housing. Is it as good as it could be? Read more
Mambo Wetlands provides multiple services under many pressures
The Mambo-Wetlands – a provider of multiple services under a myriad of pressures. Read more
Environmental primacy in Port Stephens planning
Environmental primacy means the environment is treated as a non-negotiable constraint within which development must be designed. Read more
Sustainable Living
Culturally-informed Cool Burn Program
A recently released NSW Cultural Fire Strategy commits to removing barriers that hampered cultural burning across NSW. Read more
High Court hears bid to overturn block on 22-year Mount Pleasant coal mine extension
Wendy Wales and Tony Lonergan are fighting the largest coal mine expansion in the state all the way to the High Court. Read the ABC article. Read more
Coal faces reality in the high court!
Breaking news! Coal and climate go to Australia’s highest court, as a local couple, in a David and Goliath battle, fight for climate and our future generations. Read more
Newcastle waterway listed among the state’s microplastic hot spots
Newcastle waterway listed among the state’s microplastic hot spots By … Read more
Flood Risk Management ~ a potential policy for the future
Flood Risk Management ~ a potential policy for the future … Read more