We have a host of stories and eco news to keep you busy over winter in our July issue. From NSW icon the blue groper, and the ongoing saga of coastal erosion, to a journey along our scenic coastal walk, the controversial Shoal Bay carpark, and unfortunately an alarming NSW State of the Environment report.
Our website updates bring you the latest news on our only pair of the endangered Beach Stone-curlew in the Port, and some volunteers making a difference in our national park.
We’ve featured a bumper of tiny marine stories around the nation in our Eco-extras.
Be sure to check out our community calendar with a range of local environmental events and activities — and don’t miss how to take advantage of promoting your own environmental events on our calendar.
We’re calling for articles, news and events for our next EcoUpdate by the end of July. We would love to hear from you. And we’re always open to assistance from simple tasks to compiling stories or editing a newsletter.
While you’re here, we invite our EcoUpdate readers to check the benefits of joining us, or renewing your membership.
We hope you enjoy!
Sue Olsson
Acting Editor this issue info@econetworkps.org
A NSW coastal icon protected only temporarily
The Eastern Blue Groper is an icon of the NSW coastal waters, and a regular in Port Stephens. Its fascinating life history and sex life may be the very reason they are so vulnerable and in need of protection – their reprieve is currently only temporary.
Nature has taken a toll as Conroy’s coast erodes unabated
Beach erosion in Conroy Park and Corlette Beach has a long history as a high risk area, with exacerbating development factors. This area has the honour of the only site-specific coastal plan, commissioned 10 years ago, and is still the core of today’s strategies, though seemingly without any apparent implementation … a desperate call may have make the difference
Take a journey on our scenic coastline
On a sunny Sunday, we hopped on the bus at One Mile Beach destined for the Birubi Point Aboriginal Place, to encounter the stories, diverse vegetation and scenic rocky coastline along the Tomaree Coastal Walk, as we walked back to One Mile Beach. Our wonderful morning in our local paradise!
A controversial development in many eyes
Shoal Bay car park redevelopment, for some is welcome, for others it is saddening. Shade, greenery and several magnificent blackbutt trees are being replaced by hot black bitumen so we can park a few more cars at peak periods – and all on a pivotal aesthetic corner.
While broad Council touch points occurred, design details were never released, despite Council knowing the design was controversial.
EcoNetwork does not support many aspects of this development nor the lack of consultation on the design.
EPA NSW reports on the state of our environment
Released just a fortnight ago, the NSW State of the Environment Report is devastating in its outcomes for nature, described as an alarming freefall. Released every 3 years, the report tracks the health of the environment on many indicators.
Updates to existing webpages
Submissions
EcoNetwork submitted on the NSW Government’s intent to develop Improved Native Forest Management method. This generates Australian Carbon Credit Units through reduction in logging on public native forests.
This may help end native forest logging in our public native forests, though alarmingly, it could also provide a financial incentive to subsidise and prolong native forest logging. Read more
Eco-extras
Here we explore oceans from global implications with the UN, to what’s happening here in Australia from the profound impact of warming seas on two marine species, to the insurance situation wrought by our wild weather events.
2025 UN Ocean Conference aimed to support urgent action to conserve and sustainably use marine resources for sustainable development. Held in Nice 9-13 June, it’s the third UNOC. Check Australian governments intended commitments for UNOC. UN News reports that UNOC culminated in a shared call to expand marine protection, curb pollution, regulate the high seas, and unlock financing for vulnerable coastal and island nations. Business for Nature reports UNOC signalled a potential shift in the tide, but businesses and governments must continue to collaborate beyond the conference … especially on developments like the High Seas Treaty … an important ocean protection treaty. While the SMH reports Andrew Forrest was committing his Minderoo Foundation to an additional $25 million towards implementing new marine protected areas and real-time vessel monitoring.
An unprecedented toxic algal bloom is devastating marine life off the South Australian coast. Dubbed an ‘underwater bushfire’, it’s devastated marine life, closed fisheries and impacted regional tourism. Watch ABC’s Landline. Read what the SA Government says about this naturally occurring, harmful algal bloom.
Spiny sea urchins are moving south as our ocean warms, creating underwater barrens as the consume rich and sustaining kelp forests. Read about DPI Fisheries research into this prominent NSW species. While the University of Newcastle research using video, shed new light on an undersea mystery on just what predates on sea urchins.
Climate change and the invasive impact of the spiny sea urchin is devastating Australia’s giant kelp forests DCCEEW outlines priority actions to this threatened ecological community. The Nature Conservancy reports Google and partners are using AI to help conserve Australia’s kelp reefs.
Is eating Tasmanian farmed salmon worth snuffing out 40m years of evolution? Tim Flannery discusses that Australia’s largest repository of living fossils is arguably in the cool, shallow marine waters off its southern coastline and are under threat.
More than 50 community climate champions have graduated from City of Newcastle’s inaugural net zero training initiative, highlighting a growing appetite for local climate action ~ equipping participants with the skills and knowledge to create community-led projects that support the shift to renewable energy, electrification and energy efficiency in Newcastle.
Insurance alone escalates our living costs from climate impacts. NRMA Insurance tallies more claims in 2025 than all of 2024, with a quarter of Australians affected by extreme weather this year. Cyclones, floods, storms, damaging winds, and a dust storm in South Australia contributed to the spike in claims. Check out what AI brought together together on this topic. Climate impacts are an ongoing focus in our news.
Community calendar
July: Plastic free July ~ Be inspired, Get involved,
13 July: Gundabooka Bush Foods Walk, Talk and Tasting, Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
16 July: Islands of Port Stephens ~ their history, evolution and geology (presentation),
Neil Fraser, Medowie
July: Join the Friends of Tomaree National Park and really make a difference to our environment, while enjoying nature and camaraderie, choose from 9 sessions at 4 locations.
19 July: Culturally informed cool burn demonstration, Mallabula Community Centre
20 July: Human Whale 2025 | Fingal Bay
July – August Winter is wonderful walking ~ with the National Parks Association, NPA’s program July-Dec! Walks in Central Coast 16/7 Munmorah, 20/7 Muninbung Hill and 23/7 Spion Kop. More locally, 30/7 Worimi Conservation Lands, Forest Trails & Tin City, 6/8 Raspberry Gully Trail, Newcastle, 20/8 Wildflower wander high & low trails, Tomaree National Park, and 24/8 Tomaree Coastal Walk: Samurai-Boulder Bay circuit
4-10 Aug: Landcare Week
Aug: Jump into Tomaree National Park, enjoy some nature, enjoy some caring people, and help improve the resilience of Tomaree’s vegetation . Choose from several dates and locations.
6 Aug: Climate Fresk Summit @UoN, directed to students
10 Aug: Sounds of Sustainability Festival, Valentine
10 & 26 Aug, 11 & 13 Sept: Wildflower Wonderland, enjoy and learn on one of several short walks, Tomaree National Park.
20 Aug: Enjoy a colourful day on a Wildflower wander in Tomaree’s high trails and low trails.
14 August: Port Stephens – a land formed by fire and ice (presentation), Neil Fraser, Newcastle Museum
August – October: “Wild-Flower Art Walk”, Cnr Yacaaba and Magnus Streets, Nelson Bay
Promote your environmental events on our Community Calendar
Did you know you can submit your own environmental or sustainability events to EcoUpdate?
Here’s how following our website menu – GET INVOLVED / Community Events Calendar / Promote your event ~ simple!, or save this direct link to Promote your event.
Call out for EcoUpdate articles and your help
NEXT ISSUE ~ we’re aiming for our next EcoUpdate in mid August. Please submit articles for consideration by late July.
Submit by 30 July to info@econetworkps.org
We’re calling out to our EcoUpdate community for help with EcoUpdate. We’re hoping for just a small team to assist on a variety of tasks ~ whether it is finding local stories (not necessarily writing them!), photos for our articles, local community environmental events, or relevant environmental stories from the news ~ a myriad of small tasks makes a big job easier. Just email us at info@econetworkps.org
EcoNetwork Port Stephens
Our Vision: Ecologically sustainable communities existing in harmony with the natural environment.
Our Purpose: To support our members and to educate and advocate on environmental issues that impact Port Stephens communities.
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