The Maroochy North Shore area is a popular place for our community and visitors to our region.

Project overview

We are trying to better understand the users of this area, their motivations and demographics, as well as their knowledge of the unique environmental values of the lower Maroochy River so we can continue to balance the needs of our community and preserve the natural environment.

Have Your Say

From 14 July to 14 September 2022, independent experts conducted a survey and in-person interviews at North Shore.

Outcome

The results were evaluated and recommendations made to council on management strategies that could help reconcile recreation and the conservation of important environmental values in the North Shore area.

These included:

• Consider a suite of actions that include community and visitor needs: Integrating shorebird management strategies with a range of other needs identified in the survey (parking, dog poo bags, bins, erosion management) could build trust and demonstrate that a range of community concerns have been considered and where possible, addressed.
• Create and install new signage in more visible locations: signage in prominent locations and clear information about shorebirds, why the North Shore area is special and important habitat for them, when the birds are likely present, how humans and dogs off leash negatively impact the shorebirds, tips for how visitors can reduce the impact on shorebirds, and tips for how people can spot shorebirds and report sightings
• Design an engagement approach that builds on recreation values rather than creating a trade-off: Build on shared values, create inclusive (all of us) information (e.g. “Bringing back shorebirds - making the North Shore clean, safe and fun for all of us”)
• Use a values-based approach to messages that will appeal to visitors to the North Shore: Highlight what visitors value about North Shore and use that to frame powerful messages to motivate people to take action.
• Empower community members to become local champions: Use local champions to promote desired behaviour
• Encourage visitors to become citizen scientists and support their willingness to protect the environment
• Make shorebirds more “visible” and “personable” to the local community: Use mascots to create emotional connections and encourage pro-environmental behaviours

Council will now use this feedback to inform its ongoing shorebird conservation program.

For more details please read the report.