Place-Based Impact Evaluation (PROPEL)

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Place-Based Impact Evaluation (PROPEL)

The Best Practice Evaluation of Place-Based Approaches project is a comprehensive impact assessment designed to evaluate how regional investment models contribute to environmental and social outcomes in Great Barrier Reef catchments. By examining “place-based” projects, the research identifies how local collaboration can be optimised to improve water quality and community wellbeing.

About this project

This project evaluates the effectiveness of Regional Place-Based Investment Projects (RPBIPs) in delivering on the goals of the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan. It addresses the need to understand how locally-led models contribute not only to water quality but also to broader co-benefits such as community development, economic growth, and social wellbeing. The assessment seeks to identify “best practice” elements that can be scaled or adapted to other regions to accelerate Reef protection efforts.

Our approach

The project employs a two-phase impact assessment methodology led by researchers from the University of Queensland and CSIRO. The first phase involves a desktop review and stakeholder consultation to establish an evaluation framework tailored to place-based models. The second phase focuses on deep-dive case studies and data synthesis to quantify the environmental and social returns on investment, ensuring the findings are grounded in real-world outcomes from the catchments.

Goals/key achievements

Goals/Key Achievements
  • Impact Assessment: Evaluating how current regional investments are contributing to tangible water quality improvements.
  • Co-benefit Mapping: Identifying and measuring the social and economic “value-add” of place-based projects, such as increased community resilience and local employment.
  • Best Practice Framework: Developing a standardised set of indicators to assess the success of future place-based conservation initiatives.
  • Stakeholder Integration: Collaborating closely with the Office of the Great Barrier Reef to ensure the evaluation findings inform future policy and funding decisions.

Status

Ongoing.
This project is currently ongoing, with the proposal and initial requirement summaries finalised in August 2025. Current work is focused on Phase One activities, including the establishment of the project delivery team and the commencement of the desktop review of RPBIP performance data.

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.