The Queensland Outdoor Census 2023 closed on August 14, 2023, and we are now working through the data to see what it all means – to find out what useful insights can be gained. We have decided to release the following initial results – this information is rough but indicative – more to come once we have crunched the numbers.

1. We had a range of respondents, and many fulfill more than one type of service, or have diverse structures.

2. Respondent base of operations:

• • ​70% from South East Queensland,
  • 11% from Far North Queensland,
  • 6% from Central Queensland,
  • 3% each from Wide Bay Burnett, Darling Downs/South West, and Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays.
  • 2% from North Queensland and
  • 2% are based interstate.

3. While 70% are based in SEQ, 51% of respondents state their head/ central business office is Regional or Rural; 4% are based remotely; and 46% are Urban/ Metropolitan.
4. The respondents demonstrated that more than 60% of staff are full time employed; and 20% are volunteer workers.

One of the big reasons is that this type of data capture has never been done.

This census will be used to build an understanding of the size and scope of organisations that support, promote and deliver outdoor participation opportunities and experiences in Queensland.  We know this is vital for several reasons:

• If the sector as a whole is seen and understood, it is more likely to get greater respect and recognition;
• We want to drive opportunity. As the old adage says, ‘What gets measured, gets managed’ (and funded, and supported, and has influence);
• By knowing the outdoor sector we are better able to represent you;
• By understanding you, OQ can more effectively talk with decision and policy makers about the value of the outdoor sector, its contributions, and needs.

Yes, for now. Obviously we need to learn more about everyone and uncover details but for now, capturing the basics about where you are, what you do, with whom, and which clients are most vital for you is the start point.

Every four years we want to replicate the questions. Then we build a pool of information that is compelling; and we can start to track and monitor changes. That helps everyone to know where opportunities might lie, what resources might be required, and continues to help illustrate we are an important and diverse industry in Queensland.

In between the 4-year census, we might ask you some follow up questions like what’s important to you, opportunities and threats to your work and so on. The goal is to ask a few short questions occasionally, rather than one long census that becomes really demanding.

The data will be collated from the Census and snapshots from that sent directly to those organisations that completed the survey and provided contact information.

Additionally, the collective results will be shared with decision makers and key stakeholders to help inform and influence.

And Outdoors Queensland will learn from the findings as well and use them to help refine the services we offer to you, the representatives of the outdoor sector.

The more everyone knows about the outdoor sector, the better our ability to make decisions and influence decision makers. For example, de-identified census results will be used to:

• Inform and influence all levels of government of the value of the outdoor sector
• Highlight the importance and scale of the outdoor sector, its connections with local communities and contributions to the State
• Influence decision makers and key stakeholders by building informed understanding
• Share profiles of outdoor organisationwith a range of markets