Access to Hexham Swamp (Newcastle, NSW)

Hi all, There has been (another) change to the way that birders access Hexham Swamp in the Hunter Estuary, NSW. Previously, birders were directed to go down Woodlands Close and then be escorted through a worksite for a major rail infrastructure project before coming out on the old pipeline track where the birds are seen. This is no longer the case and people now access the area from the Tarro Interchange, which is the turn-off from the New England Hwy just a few hundred metres further on (if coming from Newcastle) from the Woodlands Close turn-off. It is all explained in the link on the HBOC website, with accompanying map. See:http://www.hboc.org.au/home/latest-news/ Note that this letter was addressed to HBOC members and non HBOC-members birding in the area can also access the swamp this way. I was out there yesterday and it is very straight forward, except that the “Residents Only” sign (and access track) is just off to the right when approaching the gate mentioned in the text (so not technically ‘beyond’ it). CheersMick