In July 2026, the Total Environment Centre (TEC) and the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) co-hosted our first community workshop Exploring Australian perspectives on River and Waterway Rights at the Canva Space cafe in Sydney. We were joined by community groups, river guardians, and passionate individuals keen to learn more about the international movement to recognise rivers, waterways and ecosystems as holders of rights, and discuss ways these mechanisms could operate in Australia.

Good news for Sydney's green future   After years of advocacy, an important part of our vision for a greener Sydney is becoming reality. It follows the release of the Sydney Plan earlier this year, where the Blue-Green Grid was recognised as an essential part of Sydney's future. The NSW Government has announced a major step towards delivering the Blue-Green Grid, a connected network of parks, waterways and green corridors that my team and I have championed for many years. This article explains what has been announced, why it matters for Sydney's future, and where we go from here.

A night of film, conversation and inspiration with Tim Flannery, Laura Wells and Jeff Angel.

B-cycle, the voluntary industry group managing Australia’s battery recycling, is looking more and more like greenwash for the battery industry. This morning's report in the Sydney Morning Herald that batteries collected for recycling are instead being stockpiled, burnt or buried by B-cycle’s main recycler, Ecocycle, highlights the urgent need for a fully regulated and transparent national battery recycling scheme reinforced by strong compliance and penalties.

The results from two major reports on microplastic pollution along the NSW coast  support the call for comprehensive pollution reduction plans from local, state and national governments. Our 7-year AUSMAP study "Do We Have a Microplastic Problem in NSW Coastal Waterways?" using a robust citizen science methodology found extensive foreshore pollution and last week’s EPA NSW’s report "Broadscale Microplastic Assessment" of the water column in estuaries reinforces these findings.  There’s now a very strong case for government, business and the community to undertake a major attack on microplastics, rather than the current ad hoc approach.  

Hundreds of surveys documenting dangerous microplastic pollution in NSW coastal environments has been compiled in a major report. Sydney stands out as the state’s worst and most consistently impacted region, however, other regional urbanised areas are also of concern. 

For the first time, important Koala habitat corridors throughout Greater Sydney have been mapped. Total Environment Centre's Sydney Basin Koala Network project created maps that present a cost-effective opportunity that allows Sydney’s critical Koala populations and other threatened species to persist amidst growing threats from development.

Total Environment Centre celebrates the Minns’ government decision to reaffirm Wentworth Park as a key green space for present and future residents. We can now confirm that the site will be retained in public hands, with housing uplift to be achieved around the site.* Saul Dean, our Urban Campaigner, adds, "I think we dodged a bullet here, it became obvious major property developers were looking at the one billion dollar fish market play book again, to get their hands on more public land or maybe even public waterfront land, so it’s great to see the government stare down those interests.”

For more than 5 decades, TEC has stood for one big idea: that nature and communities deserve a powerful voice. We’ve seen a lot of change, including positive change, but our purpose has remains constant, and we’ve never lost sight of why we fight. We protect the living systems we all depend on, champion the species we love, and work alongside people who believe a thriving environment is the foundation of a thriving future.

Peabody, a global coal company, implicated in climate change denialism and dangerous practices, wants to mine under a key Sydney water catchment damaging endangered upland swamps and species.  You can help stop it. You can find further information here. We have also included who to contact in the NSW government. 

Now it’s time to make your voice heard. Use the resources below to take action, individually or with your local groups. Remember: If you’ve already acted, thank you — your voice matters.  Every additional action strengthens our collective voice. Visit our blog for links, templates, and guidance to make your feedback count.  

Last week, I wrote to you about the Minns Government’s Planning Reform Bill — the most dangerous planning changes we’ve seen in decades. If you’re already taking actions, thank you — your voice matters!  Opposition is growing from concerned members of the community, environmental groups, corruption experts and criticism from Parliament’s Legislation Review Committee.   There’s still more you can do. Every email, submission, and council contact strengthens our collective voice. Here I break down 10 myths about the Bill, showing the reality behind each one and including ways you can take action, with draft emails, templates, and links.