Restore Blue Presents at Hunter Wetland Centre Blue Carbon Forum
- Restore Blue
- Dec 11, 2025
- 2 min read
Restore Blue was pleased to present at the Blue Carbon Forum held at the Hunter Wetlands Centre in Newcastle on 23 September 2025, coordinated by Louise Duff. The event, part of a wider series focused on Wetlands and People, brought together experts in blue carbon restoration, coastal ecosystem management and nature-based climate solutions.
Restore Blue’s Managing Director, Duncan Rayner, delivered a presentation on the biophysical and engineering design considerations involved in planning and delivering large-scale blue carbon restoration projects. Duncan drew on more than 20 years of applied experience developing and implementing tidal reinstatement and wetland rehabilitation projects across NSW.
Restore Blue’s Director of Legal and Partnerships, Dr Emma Carmody, presented on the challenges and opportunities within current environmental and planning law frameworks relevant to blue carbon and coastal wetland restoration in NSW. Emma highlighted practical changes to legislation that would significantly improve outcomes for restoration practitioners working in the coastal zone and around waterways.
To explore more about the policy, governance and technical expertise that informs our work, visit our Expert Advisory page.
After the workshop, local champions Christine Prietto, Dr Peter Nelson and others generously led a guided tour of the Ramsar-listed Hunter Wetlands. This beautiful wetland is a powerful example of community-led restoration. What began as a vision in the 1980s to rehabilitate a highly degraded site has become a thriving ecological refuge supporting diverse birdlife — including the many egrets on display during our visit.
Thank you to the Hunter Wetland Centre for hosting such an engaging day, and to Kate Buckley (NSW DPIRD Fisheries) and Sian Fawcett (NSW DCCEEW) for their presentations on the NSW Government’s work in the blue carbon space.
For readers wanting to understand more about blue carbon, nature-based climate solutions, and how restoration projects generate climate and ecological benefits, we maintain a detailed Frequently Asked Questions page.
