Photo: Edgar Santana (Pexels)
The quality of the outdoor sector.
In 2023 our sector survey focussed on the size and scope of the outdoor sector.
In 2024 we focussed on the quality of the outdoor sector.
Executive Summary
During September and October 2024, Outdoors Queensland (OQ) conducted its Outdoor Sector Survey 2024, which was a brief (5 question) survey designed to elicit responses about perceptions of the quality of Queensland’s outdoor spaces, outdoor organisations and outdoor workforce, plus a question about membership of OQ and an opportunity to provide comments.
Respondents had a relatively positive perception of each of Queensland’s outdoor spaces, outdoor organisations and outdoor workforce, with the average response to all three questions being approximately 7.5 out of 10 (where 10 meant perfect).
No respondents used either of the two lowest available responses (where 1 meant terrible, and 2 was only one step up from terrible). Respondents were relatively evenly split between members and non-members of OQ (56% to 44% respectively).
The comments provided by respondents addressed a range of topics, including suggestions around OQ fees and services, workforce training, access to outdoor spaces, and improved government processes.
Analysis
Averages of total responses to the first three questions were quite consistent across the board, whether looking at total responses, responses from OQ (Outdoors Queensland) members, or responses from non-OQ members, with averages ranging only between 7.3 and 7.6 out of 10.
Responses to questions 1, 2, and 3 were consistently and significantly clustered towards the higher (where 10 = Perfect) end of the scale, indicating that respondents have a relatively positive perception of each of Queensland’s outdoor spaces, outdoor organisations and outdoor workforce.
No respondents to the survey used either of the two lowest available responses (where 1 meant terrible, and 2 was only one step up from terrible).
In general, each respondent’s responses to the first three questions were quite consistent across those questions. For example, two people gave a response of 3 for Q1, and those two people gave responses of 3 or 4 for Q2 and Q3. Of the 34 people who answered Q1 within the range of 8 to 10, only two of those people scored Q2 or Q3 with a 6, and there was no score lower than 6 in any of their responses.
As stated in the Summary of Responses section, responses to Q4 showed that approximately 56% (31 respondents) were a financial member of Outdoors Queensland, and 44% (24 respondents) saying they were not a financial member.
The comments provided in response to Q5 have been reproduced in full in Appendix B, with limited editing to correct obvious typographical errors and to remove identifying information.
One respondent questioned what was meant by “quality” in the first three questions, noting that the quality of spaces vary for different reasons, and so does the quality of outdoor organisations.
Comments were made about the outdoor sector generally, summarised as follows:
- Appreciation for the work done by everyone across Queensland’s outdoor industry
- Concerns about access to training and formal qualifications
- Concerns about job readiness of new entrants to the outdoor sector
- Concerns about increasing pressures on outdoor spaces, requiring better management of outdoor spaces, including possible consideration of increased access fees or limitations on numbers to ensure experiences are sustainable and positive
- Concerns about increasing need for access to outdoor activities
- Observation about tension between economic/social interests versus environmental responsibilities
- Improved State government cross-departmental communication and alignment, and better permit processes
- Nature play and forest school activity specific standards
Some comments were specific to OQ’s services, as follows:
- Thanks for the work done by OQ
- Query on whether OQ fees could be reduced for “really small” businesses
- Suggestion that OQ should host a conference
- Suggestion that OQ should provide information about grants
Outdoors Queensland will consider those comments when making decisions about our future offerings and when providing input and feedback on these topics.
Thank you
The team at Outdoors Queensland
