SCCG selected as Finalist in the LGNSW Excellence in the Environment Awards

The SCCG is thrilled to announce that the Little Penguin education video has been selected as a finalist in the Communication, Education, and Empowerment category of the LGNSW Excellence in the Environment Awards. This award recognises outstanding initiatives that inform and empower communities, increasing their capacity to actively contribute to sustainability efforts.

Our video, targeting the boating community, highlights the threats faced by the endangered Little Penguin population at Manly, including boat strikes and damage to crucial foraging habitats like seagrass beds. Developed in collaboration with Northern Beaches Council, NPWS, TfNSW, and local penguin wardens, this project forms a key part of SCCG’s broader sustainability strategy to protect marine biodiversity and promote compliance with boating regulations.

The awards ceremony will take place on 4 December 2024, and we are honoured to be among the finalists in this category, which celebrates environmental education programs and initiatives that foster community engagement and consultation.

Stay tuned for the results and our continued efforts in protecting the Little Penguins and other vital marine ecosystems!

Finalists | Environment Awards (lgnsw.org.au)

SCCG Named Finalist for Two Awards at 2024 Sustainable Cities Awards

We are excited to announce that Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) has been named a finalist for its Little Penguin Education Video at the 2024 Sustainable Cities Awards. The video brings attention to the threats facing the Little Penguin colony at Spring Cove, including boat strikes, dogs, and damage to their foraging habitats, such as seagrass beds. It also highlights actions that the community can take to protect these penguins and secure their future at Manly.

SCCG has been shortlisted in two key award categories:

  • Biodiversity Conservation Award: This award recognises projects that regenerate, conserve, or advance scientific understanding of biodiversity in terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
  • Waterways and Marine Protection Award: This award celebrates programs and actions that restore and enhance natural waterways and beaches.

These nominations reflect the impact of SCCG’s efforts to protect Sydney’s biodiversity and marine environments.

For more information on the awards and other finalists, visit Keep Australia Beautiful NSW here.

Stay tuned for the results!

Little Penguin Recovery Program Featured on ABC Radio

The Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG), in partnership with Transport for NSW (Maritime), Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), launched its Little Penguin education video, which aims to improve education of the boating community around protections in place at Spring Cove in Sydney Harbour.

The SCCG urges all small recreational watercraft operators to follow the boating rules in Spring Cove, Manly, designed to protect this critically endangered population of Little Penguins.

SCCG’s Executive Director, Sarah Joyce, was recently featured in an interview on ABC Radio to discuss the Little Penguin Recovery Program, which can be listened to below.

For more information on the Little Penguin Recovery Program click here.

Plastic Free July: SCCG’s Commitment to a Cleaner Coastline

The SCCG is proud to support Plastic Free July, an important initiative dedicated to reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices. By encouraging individuals and communities to refuse single-use plastics, the initiative aims to create lasting change that benefits both our environment and future generations.

SCCG’s advocacy for litter prevention aligns with the Plastic Free July campaign. Clean beaches, coastal areas, and waterways free from plastic are essential for the health of our marine ecosystems and the enjoyment of public spaces.

While the campaign is a month-long initiative, the principles it promotes should be embraced year-round. SCCG encourages everyone to continue their efforts beyond July, making plastic reduction a permanent part of their daily lives.

For more information on Plastic Free July and how you can get involved, visit https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/.

Sydney Institute of Marine Science Logo

National Science Week with SIMS: Integrating Traditional Knowledge and Marine Science

Join SIMS at Q Station, Manly, for the SIMS National Science Week Event on Tuesday, 13 August! This event will explore the theme “Species Survival – More than Just Sustainability” through the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in marine science. Highlights include a panel discussion on TEK integration, a tour of the endangered seagrass Posidonia restoration site, and a presentation by the Sydney Seahorse Project on their conservation efforts. Enjoy engaging conversations, food, and mingling with marine science experts. Don’t miss this opportunity to dive deep into the future of species conservation!

Order of proceedings:

  • Posidonia Tour (4:00 PM): Begin your journey with a guided tour of the Posidonia restoration site led by SIMS’s Project Restore. Learn about the restoration efforts for this endangered seagrass and gain insights on the cultural history of the site from Rowena Welsh-Jarrett. RSVP for the Posidonia tour here: https://events.humanitix.com/n…
  • Pre-Event Mingling (5:00 PM): Arrive early to enjoy a poster session showcasing marine research projects and network with fellow attendees.
  • Official Proceedings (5:30 PM): The evening kicks off with a Welcome to Country and stories from Indigenous Elders, setting the stage for a meaningful exchange of knowledge and perspectives.
  • Panel Discussion (5:50 PM): Join our expert panel as they explore the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in marine science. The panel will provide insights from a range of expertise and take a look at the history of Sydney harbour and Gamay, the conservation initiatives within and analyse the effectiveness of TEK integration in order to provide insights to enhance two-way knowledge exchange in marine science.
  • Sydney Seahorse Project Presentation (6:30 PM): Discover the innovative approaches of the Sydney Seahorse Project in conserving endangered species. Learn how the project integrates the perspectives of Traditional Owners and empowers the next generation through conservation efforts focused on White’s seahorse and their habitats.
  • Post-Event Mingling (7:00 PM): Conclude the evening with food, drinks, and further engagement with marine research posters and scientists. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with marine science professionals and enthusiasts.

Expert Panel Composition & key topics:

  • Professor David Booth: Insights into the history and restoration initiatives of Sydney Harbour.
  • Ms. Rowena Welsh-Jarrett: Fostering meaningful dialogue with Traditional Owners.
  • Dr. Victoria Cole: Reintroducing native flat oysters into Gamay and experiences collaborating with Traditional Owners on shellfish restoration.
  • Dr. Mitchell Gibbs: Moderating the panel and sharing insights from his recent Fulbright scholarship in the US, collaborating with Australian and North American First Nations people on shellfish knowledge.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of an inspiring conversation on species conservation. This is a unique opportunity to support and advance effective two-way knowledge exchange with Traditional Owners in our own backyard!

Register here!

SCCG Media Release – 12 June 2024

With penguin breeding season underway, the Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) is urging all recreational watercraft operators to follow the boating rules in Sydney Cove, Manly, designed to protect a critically endangered population of Little Penguins.

A monitoring report prepared by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) revealed the continuing poor results of breeding population numbers, which have reduced considerably at Manly. The monitoring results for the 2023-2024 season show that there are currently 19 breeding pairs, a reduction in last year’s results.

The SCCG’s Executive Officer, Sarah Joyce, said that these numbers are the lowest recorded and urgent action needs to be taken to address the range of threats so that we can see the population recover.

One of the key threats to the population is boat strike. The SCCG, in partnership with Transport for NSW (Maritime), Northern Beaches Council and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), wants to increase awareness of the boating rules in Spring Cove to reduce this threat causing the death of more Little Penguins. Boats are encouraged to watch SCCG’s education video which identifies the various rules put in place to protect the population including speeding limits and areas to avoid anchoring.

Finally, a message from Erica Mahon, Senior Threatened Species Officer with DCCEEW on the future of Little Penguins in Spring Cove.

“There is always hope for the Little Penguin population but we need everyone to pitch in to make sure these penguins have a future here in Manly” Ms Mahon said.

Simple boating rules for Spring Cove, Manly:

  • Reduce speed to four knots or below when entering North Harbour, Manly
  • Be extra careful at dawn and dusk
  • Don’t anchor in seagrass beds
  • Don’t bring dogs or cats onto beaches

The Little Penguin education video can be viewed below:

 

Raw footage of the Manly Little Penguins for news purposes available below:

For SCCG’s media release: Little Penguins Media Release.

Upcoming Grant Opportunity: Local Government Waste Solutions Fund

The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has unveiled a significant funding opportunity aimed at revolutionising waste management practices at the local level. With a commitment of $10 million over five years, spanning from 2023 to 2027, the Local Government Waste Solutions Fund seeks to empower councils across the state to address pressing waste management issues.

Under this initiative, individual councils can access grants of up to $200,000, while collaborations of councils have the potential to secure up to $400,000 in funding. These grants are designed to support the development and delivery of innovative projects such as the enhancement of waste management infrastructure, educational programs, and community engagement activities.

Round 3 of funding is expected to commence in September 2024. The aim is to foster partnerships and initiatives that promote efficient and environmentally sound waste management solutions tailored to local needs.

The NSW EPA’s Local Government Waste Solutions Fund underscores the agency’s commitment to partnering with councils to drive meaningful change in waste management practices. By investing in projects that address key challenges, the fund aims to create a more sustainable future for communities across New South Wales.

For further details and application guidelines, visit the NSW EPA website here.

5-year Statutory Review on the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016

The purpose of the review is to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms remain appropriate for securing those objectives.

The SCCG reviewed the Consultation Paper and participated in feedback sessions hosted by LGNSW. The SCCG strongly supported the submission made by LGNSW which represents the views of Councils across NSW.

Generally, the SCCG considers that the BC Act is not achieving its objectives of no net loss of biodiversity, particularly in coastal and urban areas.

To read the full SCCG Submission see here.

New Minns Labor Government

The NSW State Elections on the 25 March 2023 resulted in a win for the Australian Labor Party. The Premier, Chris Minns, announced his government’s full Ministry which in a first for NSW comprised a frontbench of 50% women.

Key Ministers relevant to the work of the SCCG include:

  • Minister for Energy, Climate Change, Environment and Heritage – The Hon. Penny Sharpe, MLC
  • Minister for Local Government – The Hon. Ron Hoenig, MP
  • Minister for Natural Resources – The Hon. Courtney Houssos, MLC
  • Minister for Agriculture (includes Fisheries) – The Hon. Tara Moriarty, MLC
  • Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology – The Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong, MP

For the full cabinet list of Ministers see here.

SCCG Position Statement for the 2023 State Election

The upcoming State Election presents an opportune time for political parties to review and reaffirm their commitment to sustainably manage our coast. As such, we have formulated key policy positions and associated recommendations that we believe are critical to ensure the SCCG and its member Councils can continue their important role in the management of beloved coastal and estuarine environments. These key coastal management issues are:

  1. Establish a whole of government approach to climate change impacts, including coastal erosion, recession and sea level rise.
  2. Provide greater support to the delivery of Coastal Management Programs which are critical to the ensure the long-term sustainability of our coasts and estuaries.
  3. Formalise a catchment approach for our estuaries to ensure the threats to these highly valued areas are more effectively and efficiently managed now and into the future.
  4. Breakdown barriers to sand nourishment by addressing the significant impediments to Councils who are responsible for our beloved beaches.
  5. Establish a marine park for Sydney to improve the protection for marine biodiversity, ensure resilience in a changing climate, and better realise the tourism potential of marine sanctuaries.

To read our full position statement click here.