Tucked away in the Lake Macquarie suburb of Coal Point, a group of hardworking concerned citizens is kicking some major goals for their local environment.
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The Coal Point Progress Association, which formed back in 1946, has been working to retain the natural habitat and keep residents informed on environmental matters.
It has almost 160 members and distributes a monthly newsletter to 2000 homes in the area.
The group was originally formed "for the betterment of the community" but overtime has developed more of an environmental focus.
"We try to do things that will keep the community connected," president Suzanne Pritchard said.
"A lot of that comes down to protecting the environment because that's what connects us all.
"There are a lot of long-term residents who chose to live here because of the environmental values and we want to retain that."
An example of what the group has been able to achieve was its $250,000 Threatened Species Last Stand project.
The large-scale project involved regenerating bushland and surveying local flora and fauna, which led to the identification of several endangered and vulnerable species of both plants and animals in the area.
One such species was the squirrel glider, and part of the Last Stand project involved building nest boxes for the vulnerable animal.
"It was quite a significant thing knowing that there are those species in the area, because you can't protect what you don't know you have," Ms Pritchard said.
"It helped improve planning decisions and the way blocks were developed."
Outside of the project, the group has continued that involvement and interest in planning matters in the area.
It consults with Lake Macquarie City Council regarding development applications and shares information with residents about planning matters that may impact them.
"We share community issues with the community," Ms Pritchard said.
"The community really relies on the association to keep them informed.
"We have quite an older community here as well who aren't so connected to the internet so the newsletter is really important for them."
And on the other end of the age scale, the group regularly engages with local preschools and primary schools in environmental programs such as bushland preservation.
The association also has its own landcare sub-committee and helps to maintain 11 council reserves, with the aim of protecting fauna and flora and providing comfortable rest and recreation spaces for the community to use.
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
