Since 2012 the number of threatened species in the local government area has grown from 90 to 184. Of native mammals here, 37 per cent are now threatened, along with 24 per cent of native birds. The figures were revealed in Port Stephens Council’s annual State of Environment report and reflect statewide trends.

While council has acknowledged the need for careful planning and development policy it put the spike down to nothing more than better survey and reporting.

“One of the big areas we exist for is tourism and we rely on our environment for that,” Cr Peter Kafer said.

“The number of threatened species has more than doubled and we should not hold our heads high over that. I know we’re all proud of the area we live in but we shouldn’t push this report through and pat ourselves on the back for this.”

The NSW Scientific Committee is responsible for reviewing listings of threatened species, populations, and communities statewide under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act.

While the council does not have a primary responsibility for the management of threatened species it did acknowledge its role as both a local planning authority and as a land manager.

“Council contributes to the local management of some notable threatened species that are often in conflict with development, through local management plans, including the koala, grey headed flying fox, and Maundia (an aquatic plant species),” the council’s coordinator of natural resources Les Seddon said.

“The majority of the observed net increase in threatened species records in Port Stephens... was a result of increased flora and fauna survey effort as part of land use planning processes – and, therefore, knowledge about the presence and location of previously listed threatened species in NSW.”

Port Stephens EcoNetwork expressed concern with the figures and said it was likely a combination of better surveys, development pressure, climate change and even fire fighting foam contamination.

“These figures tell me we’re on a slippery slope,” the group’s president Robert Roseworne said.

“If any species’ decline is directly related to council’s decisions it’s something they need to take responsibility for. In saying that, we still have the ability to right the wrongs that we have control over.

“We could even lead the way for other areas.”

Three species that occur in the Port Stephens local government area added to the list in the past four years include the dusky woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus cyanopterus), a herb (Pterostylis chaetophora), and a black falcon (Falco subniger) 

The Office of Environment and Heritage said the state government works with a number of partner agencies including local councils to conserve and protect almost a thousand animals and plants threatened from extinction via it’s Saving Our Species (SoS) program. 

The SoS program is providing $100 million to fund work across the State over the next five years that aims to maximise the number of threatened species that can be secured in the wild.

The NSW Scientific Committee is an independent body established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and is responsible for deciding which species should be listed as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or presumed extinct across the state. Port Stephens Council said recently passed biodiversity legislation will significantly change the way threatened species are considered in assessment of allowable developments.