Outdoor Recreation

Economic, Social and Health Impacts of Sport and Active Recreation in Queensland

Summary (excerpt)

Sport and active recreation provide large benefits to Queenslanders, through various economic and social channels. Total economic and social benefits are estimated to be in the order of $18 billion, an amount equivalent to around 5% of Gross State Product (GSP).

The sport and active recreation sector directly and indirectly supports economic activity and jobs across Queensland. Sport and active recreation are estimated to make an economic contribution of around $5 billion per annum, or nearly 1½ % of GSP.

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The Queensland Government Statewide Outdoor Recreation Framework was designed to protect and improve access to outdoor recreation places and spaces; promote outdoor recreation opportunities and participation; and enhance the sustainability and capacity of the outdoor recreation sector.

The vision:
People participating in high quality, diverse, safe outdoor recreation

The framework’s overall objectives are to:

• provide mechanisms to resolve issues associated with planning for, establishing, managing and promoting outdoor recreation opportunities
• foster increased participation in outdoor recreation in Queensland.

Three commitments

• Improve access to places and spaces
• Promote opportunities to participate
• Enhance capacity of the outdoor recreation sector

(Released October 2014)

To optimise the natural and cultural values of Brisbane’s natural areas while ensuring that visitor access and use is nature-based and sustainable

Read: Outdoor Recreation Management Strategy for Brisbane’s Natural Areas 2011 – 2021

Developed in 2010 to guide the coordination, assessment, planning, delivery and management of outdoor recreation opportunities and facilities across the state and in particular the SEQ region.

The then Queensland Government developed the South East Queensland (SEQ) Outdoor Recreation Strategy to guide the coordination, assessment, planning, delivery and management of outdoor recreation opportunities and facilities across the state and in particular the SEQ region.

Outdoor recreation includes a range of recreation activities undertaken in natural, rural and urban greenspace, the most popular being picnicking, surfing, swimming (in rivers, lakes and the sea) and walking.

The SEQ Outdoor Recreation Strategy (SEQORS) was part of the government’s Towards Q2 vision to protect 50% more land for nature conservation and public recreation.

In January 2007, the SEQ Regional Outdoor Recreation Strategy discussion paper was released for public consultation. Responses to the discussion paper helped the Queensland Government to develop the SEQ Regional Outdoor Recreation Strategy.

Other DLGP initiatives for outdoor recreation included the active trails strategy.

Read / Download the SEQ Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2010

Queensland Outdoor Recreation Strategic Framework 2009—2014

Vision for outdoor recreation in Queensland Outdoor recreation for residents and tourists in Queensland’s renowned landscapes and seascapes is diverse, high quality, safe and sustainable.

This vision defines the aspirations of the community, and state and local governments for outdoor recreation in Queensland. It also provides direction to regional plan principles, policies and programs relating to outdoor recreation.

The focus of the Framework is to provide more places for outdoor recreation and to sustainably manage those places into the future. Structured collaboration and coordination for more effective and efficient outdoor recreation services forms the core of the Framework.

Year round, there is always a place to go to be in Queensland’s great outdoors. Many interstate and overseas tourists and most
Queensland residents enjoy our outdoors lifestyle through activities such as fishing, picnicking, sailing, cycling, camping, surfing and bushwalking.

Outdoor recreation is so popular that, across Queensland, people spend over $4 billion a year to participate. The resultant social,
health, educational and tourism benefits contribute significantly to Queensland’s identity, culture and economy.

There are many different outdoor recreation activities and each needs a particular type of place: ‘surfable’ waves for surfing; campsites for camping; picnic areas for picnicking; tracks for bushwalking, horse riding, mountain bike riding, trail bike riding and four-wheel driving; and inland and coastal waters with good fish habitat, public access, boat ramps and jetties for fishing, to give just a few examples

Recreation Planning
Recreation planning involves collecting and analysing information, to make sure the right facilities and venues for recreation and sport are developed and that the right places are protected to meet our future recreation needs

Design & Development of an Outdoor Recreation Facility
Guidelines to assist the private sector plan and manage land to increase the amount of private land made available to the public for outdoor recreation activities.