Extended Abstract: With the population in South Queensland, Australia, predicted to
increase by approximately 50,000 people per year, a million more people by the year
2021, it becomes very clear that the frustration in the lack of natural areas protected for
recreational use, found among the 2,820 people surveyed, is only going to increase if the
government does not step in and do something about the problem. In this study of the
participation in recreational activities in South East Queensland nearly every recreational
activity has seen an increase in participation since the 1997 survey and with population
growth not predicted to slow down anytime soon, an increase in the protection of natural
land areas is recommended by the authors. For example, the participation percentage in
water activities jumped from 39% of those surveyed to 56% from the 1997 phone survey
to the 2001. The researchers also concluded that for every activity (with the exception of
abseiling or rock-climbing) a shift from the desire to go to “somewhat natural areas,” as
defined in the paper, to a desire to go to “very natural environments” has occurred. The
researchers also tested for the motivation for participation in recreational activities and
found leisure as the number one priority and competition as the least important.
Essentially, safe local natural areas were shown to be a very important part of the lives of
busy people who did not have time for long elaborate trips for themselves or their
families. The authors concluded that outdoor recreation must be recognized by the
government and community as an equally important appropriation of land use as
agriculture, mining, forestry, industrial and residential development and etc.
Summary of the 2001 South East Queensland Outdoor Recreation Demand Study
(SEQORDS), Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation Inc., October 2002
Data Sources:
Researchers conducted a telephone survey of 2,820 people in South East Queensland in
late 2001. The researchers asked questions pertaining to the individuals interests in
outdoor recreation activities, including how often they participated, their desire to
participate further, and their motivation. The survey also investigated the types of
recreational surroundings individuals chose to recreate in.