Monitoring Green and Blue Space Benefits and Values in SEQ

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Monitoring Green and Blue Space Benefits and Values in SEQ

The Monitoring Green and Blue Space Benefits and Values in SEQ project is a long-term social monitoring initiative that tracks how residents of South East Queensland perceive, value, and interact with their local environment. By monitoring these “human dimensions,” the project provides critical evidence to support the annual Healthy Land & Water Report Card and guides regional investment in natural resource management.

About this project

This project assesses the social, cultural, and economic benefits that SEQ residents derive from “green” (land-based) and “blue” (water-based) spaces. It addresses the need for consistent, longitudinal data to understand how community wellbeing and stewardship behaviours are influenced by changes in the local environment. The project focuses on key indicators such as waterway benefits, recreational use, and personal connection to nature to ensure regional management remains community-centric.

Our approach

The project employs a robust social science methodology, primarily through a large-scale annual survey of over 3,000 residents across 14 SEQ local government areas. The research team uses advanced statistical analysis to measure trends in environmental satisfaction, stewardship intentions, and the psychological drivers of conservation. This data is then synthesised to provide “Waterway Benefit Ratings” and “Social Resource” scores that offer a holistic view of the region’s socio-ecological health.

Goals/key achievements

Key outcomes identified were:
  • Longitudinal Tracking: Maintained a continuous time-series dataset since 2022, capturing year-on-year shifts in community attitudes toward green and blue spaces.
  • Waterway Benefits Rating: Established a standardised metric to report on the social and economic values of SEQ waterways in the annual Report Card.
  • Spatial Insights: Provided local councils with postcode-level data on how residents use and value their specific local parks and waterways.
  • Evidence-Based Management: Delivered actionable insights that have informed regional strategies for urban greening, public access, and environmental education.

Status

Ongoing.
The project is ongoing, with annual data collection cycles occurring since 2022. Current work involves the analysis of the 2025 survey results and the refinement of social indicators to better capture emerging environmental challenges, such as climate resilience and urban heat mitigation.

Project Partners

Understanding People and Nature

Research That Makes a Difference

We explore how people connect with the environment from urban green spaces to ocean reefs, and develop strategies to promote conservation stewardship and meaningful engagement with the natural world. Through citizen science, community partnerships, and innovative communication strategies, we’re working to strengthen the connections between people and nature for lasting conservation impact.