Gecko’s Campaigns and Advocacy Team brings together decades of collective experience in environmental protection, planning processes, ecological science, governance and community engagement. We are a highly informed and strategic group of Gold Coasters dedicated to safeguarding the natural character of our region while advocating for a sustainable and liveable built environment. Our advocacy is grounded in fact, informed by law and guided by a deep understanding of local ecological values.
We are a Regional Voice with State Influence!
As the regional conservation council for the Gold Coast, Gecko plays an important bridging role between local communities and state-level issues and decision-making.
We bring the environmental voice of the Gold Coast community to:
- Ministerial roundtables
- State and local government consultations
- Parliamentary and departmental processes
- Local and statewide environmental and conservation networks
Through our involvement in peak bodies such as the Queensland Conservation Council and collaboration with aligned organisations across Queensland and northern NSW, Gecko ensures that local environmental priorities are represented in broader policy discussions. Our regional insight strengthens state advocacy, and state networks amplify the Gold Coast’s voice.
We work constructively and collaboratively, aiming to influence both hearts and minds — from local residents to elected representatives and government agencies. Our approach is solutions-focused, strategic and professional.
Join our Campaigns Team.
We welcome new members who are interested in contributing their skills, deepening their understanding of environmental advocacy, or supporting informed and effective action for the Gold Coast.
New members to the team are always welcome and should contact the Gecko office on 55341412. To see the date of the next meeting visit https://gecko.org.au/calendar-of-events/
Campaigns articles
Photograph: Hinze Dam, by Phill Cullen Water is life – foundational to healthy ecosystems and their services that in turn support our healthy society, economy, cultures, and way of life. So how is our water managed? The Gold Coast Water
Homes for all – Save our iconic wildlife Join us for conversations about protecting native forests and wildlife in the SEQ Regional Plan update 2023. The draft plan update for our region is out and the clock is ticking down
Local Groups Fear Gold Coast Beach Erosion and Homes Flooding if Climate Change is not reduced to 50% by 2030 Fearing serious damage to homes and hinterland rainforests along with flooding, tourism and community groups want urgent action to cut
The public consultation of the concept plans for the light rail stage 4 finished on 17th September. While there were certainly plenty of opportunities for residents of the southern Gold Coast to view the concept drawings and talk with Transport and Main Roads (TMR) officers, there were few answers to questions. Gecko’s full submission is available on web site - https://gecko.org.au/campaigns/liveable-and-green-city/
PAID VACANCY-The Campaign Coordinator, in representing Gecko across a range of community sectors, will undertake to respond to a broad scope of environmental issues with the support of the members of the campaign team. Campaign work is organised under the 4 fields of biodiversity, climate change, liveability, and sustainability in planning. See www.gecko.org.au for more info
Dear Councillors, Councillor vote on ASF Proposal It has been reported in the Gold Coast Bulletin that you are being pressured to vote on whether or not to proceed with the ASF Consortium possible proposal tomorrow. This appears to be happening without you receiving adequate information or time to properly consider the limited information you do have. While we always take what is reported in the GC Bulletin with a pinch of salt, in the absence of any other source of information the stories over the last few days have raised grave concerns.
Cruise terminal tribute to Prince Philip or a promise to save the park named in his honour? It is time for the Mayor to abandon the Oceanside cruise terminal. The terminal is totally inappropriate on the Philip Park site or anywhere in the Broadwater and Gecko Environment Council’s success, at long last, of getting the PwC Business Case Report, released in full, clearly reveals that. The Mayor and most Councillors should be held to account for failing to release all of this report, especially Appendix E which lists all the risks involved in this proposal. See wwewe.gecko.org.au for more info.
City Planning Amendments Again! Round 4 of the latest version of the Amendments to the City Plan are out and there is an opportunity to make a submission by Thursday 8th April by email to cityplansubmissions@goldcoast.qld.gov.au or on online gchaveyoursay.com.au/ourcityourplan Gecko has put together a submission which you can find on our home page of the website www.gecko.org.au You are welcome to use any of the information from this submission or all of it or you can simply write and say you endorse the Gecko submission. More submissions tell Council the residents are watching what is happening in planning for our city’s future.
The City of Gold Coast Council is once again proposing a cableway from Mudgeeraba to Springbrook National Park and have commissioned a feasibility study which will be presented to Councillors in February. Gecko is extremely concerned that this proposal has been raised again as the Government report in 2000 clearly stated the reasons it should not proceed.
The Spit continues to be very popular with residents and visitors as a place to relax and recreate especially in the challenging year that was 2020. Its value to the Gold Coast community cannot be disputed as the public sought to enjoy our green and blue recreational areas. The commitment of so many in the community since 2003 to protecting The Spit has been justified over and over again and they will continue to watch over it during the implementation of the Master Plan and beyond. There are many positive happenings on The Spit, but still some issues that require on going advocacy and vigilance. The positives are the projects relating to the adopted Master Plan and issues relate to the cruise terminal in Phillip Park and helicopter flights.