Autumn is upon us and the mornings are starting to feel pleasantly crisp in our beautiful region of Port Stephens. The year has well and truly kicked off and we already have plenty to report on in this edition of EcoUpdate.
Some stories of community concern, a heartfelt farewell and an uplifting story about delightful frogs.
Firstly, a community meeting was held on 7th April for Council to provide further insight into the Anna Bay AB Rising Development Application. With significant interest and concern surrounding this proposed development, there was high attendance of over 130 community members. The application for rezoning is expected to come before Council at their 13 May meeting – you’re invited to attend!
Frog lovers will enjoy our second article in which Grant Webster (PhD Candidate; University of New England) provides insight into our Port Stephens frog population. In reviewing local frog hot spots Grant identified his ‘frog tally’ for peninsular Port Stephens stands at 17 species; with 14 in Tomaree National Park alone!
In response to the current distressing and damming issue around tree vandalism in Port Stephens, EcoNetwork is calling for a more aggressive Tree and Vegetation Vandalism Policy. Council are cracking down on vandals with new strategies in place to surveil and deter these criminals.
Don’t forget that it’s time to renew your EcoNetwork membership and also feel free to send through any recommendations on articles that you would like us to feature in future editions.
Enjoy your read!
EcoNetwork committee
Contact us: info@econetworkps.org
Anna Bay Rezoning Application has many in the community concerned!
Anna Bay fears worsening floods and wildlife loss ~ AB Rises stage 1 has been approved amid local community concerns. Now Stage 2, rezoning application of massive size approximating the whole of Anna Bay Village, with possibly over million tonnes of fill to will rise above Anna Bay threatening the Village and isolating the Tomaree Peninsula …
Port Stephens ~ A Great Place to be a frog!
Endowed with wetlands, it’s also a young frog lovers delight … discover how holidaying here shaped Grant’s career …
Call out for articles for EcoUpdate and your help
NEXT ISSUE ~ we’re aiming for another EcoUpdate in late May so please submit articles for consideration by mid May.
Submit by 16 May 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, photos for our articles, local community environmental events, or relevant environmental stories from in the news ~ a myriad of small tasks will make a big job easies. Just email us at info@econetworkps.org
Calling on Council to take responsible action…
Calling on Council to take responsible action to protect part of Stoney Ridge Reserve, at 8 Fleet Street, Salamander Bay, Proposed development of fire trails with disposal of site rubble will not only bring weeds, it’ll fragment koala habitat and critical corridors, threaten endangered powerful owls that use these tree hollows here for nests as well as other environmental and social impacts…
Vandalism for views, a worrying trend in Port Stephens!
Tree and vegetation vandalism watch, EcoNetwork’s revealing and dismaying research of our Tomaree Peninsula foreshore tree vandalism since about 2020 … so just a few can enhance their sea views. See the foreshore hot spots and responses …
Council is cracking down on Vandals.
Council’s response to the Chainsaw vandalised trees on the Nelson Bay’s Bridle Path is comprehensive ~ from signs to surveillance cameras, rehabilitation and a range of media channels.
Updates to existing webpages
Nigel Waters ~ a community and environmental champion! ~ We farewelled Nigel in style at a sold out dinner ~ and discovered his wife Nikki is his equal as a community and arts champion. We’re fortunate for the years they contributed to improving Port Stephens.
We are asking you to support Birdlife Australia in their call to Stop poisoning our wildlife, to stop the use of anticoagulant poisons that also poison our wildlife …find out more to take action
Take a look at what we at EcoNetwork do, and under the reports tab see the reports and highlights capturing the activities of EcoNetwork over our previous year
Membership with EcoNetwork Port Stephens, join or renew your membership for the 2025-2026 financial year. Your membership support is important to us, and here are some benefits of being a member. We have added a privacy option to your membership. Please complete the online form and deposit your membership fee using the bank account details provided.
Eco-extras
Birds in our Port Stephens backyard ~ an interesting snippet on Brown Thornbills and their deceptive mimicry of fake ‘hawk’ calls to warn off predatory currawongs ~ nature’s just amazing! Hope you have lots of bushes for thornbills to feed and shelter (and no roaming cats of course).
In conversation with Matt Kean, discusses how we need to balance responsible economic management with strong climate action, the role of renewables, navigating debates around nuclear and the transition away from fossil fuels, and the priorities for supporting households and businesses to continue thriving as we cut emissions. See the online Q&A youtube with Matt Kean, Chair of the Climate Change Authority and former NSW Liberal Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment, and Amanda McKenzie, CEO of the Climate Council, where they’ll discuss hot topics related to climate and energy in Australia.
The ABC took a look at offshore wind, emphasised that while there are knowns in relation to windfarms, there’s much fiction around, and important unknowns to research.
International Dark Sky Week April 21-28, read about the effects of light pollution, jump to how light pollution harms wildlife and ecosystems, or wastes energy and money and damages the climate, as well as affecting human health . There are solutions to light pollution and resources to consider. Here in the Hunter, read about the Munibung Hill Urban Night Sky Project in the Macquarie Hills.
EcoNetwork calls for a stronger and more comprehensive Tree and vegetation vandalism policy ~ Council have taken some early promising steps forward in activating.
Community Calendar
See some highlights from our Community Events Calendar, and other calendar events too!
April 12-27, Birubi Beach Shuttle Bus Trial | Have Your Say Port Stephens
Over April and May, walk with the National Parks Association exploring local and regional areas, Wed 30 April: Full day walk: Bathers Way, Newcastle coast, and in May Wed 14 Fingal Bay to Big Rocky, Tomaree NP, Sun 18 Worimi Trails , Worimi Conservation Lands, Fri 23 Tillligerry Peninsula.
During April, make a difference, casually or regularly, to help build a stronger and more resilient national park ~ with the Friends of Tomaree National Park. Join us in April or May for one of the 9 coast or bush care activities at 4 locations, each with a weekend and a week day activity. See our calendar for more dates, locations and contact. Some forward dates include:
- North Tomaree/Zenith area Thurs 17 April, and Sat 3, Tues 13 and Thurs 15 May
- Special: Fingal South Easter Sunday 19 April, Sat 17 & Fri 23 May
- Central Tomaree/Boat Harbour area Sat 10 & Mon 19 May
- South Tomaree/Fishermans Bay Sun 4 & Tues 20 May
April Thurs 17, Bugs, Beautiful Bugs ~ fun insect walk discovery how insecte leve and help our forests grow, Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae.
April 21-28, International Dark Sky Week ~ and discover the impacts on the envrionment
May 2025, Environmental Nonfiction: Writing Short Course featuring special guest (Port Stephens local) Joanna Atherfold Finn.
May 9th Friday, Women for the Environment, breakfast – tackling biodiversity and other environmental topics, Newcastle.
Sustainable housing — open house, webinar series and Electrify This
Sunday 4 May – Sustainable House Day is an annual event run by Renew that provides the opportunity to explore some of Australia’s most inspiring homes, and learn from the people who designed them, built them, and live in them.
Saturday 10 May, Electrify This, as part of the Sustainable House Day 2025 Community Partner Program and Renew Hunter Branch invites you to join us to hear the incomparable Electrify This advocate and voice actor Sarah Aubrey, “From High Bills to High Performance – My Path to a 10-Star Sustainable Home”!
Throughout May, an eight-part month-long webinar series packed with expert discussions, homeowner stories, and practical advice on sustainable home design.
How to submit events to 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.
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.
EcoNetwork Port Stephens acknowledges we live, work and learn on Worimi Country
www.econetworkps.org : secretary@econetworkps.org : facebook