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
The State Government has been developing a koala conservation strategy for several years in response to the alarming decline in koala numbers over past decades. This is mainly due to loss of habitat, 74% since 1967, vehicle strikes, dog attacks and disease. A Expert panel examined the situation and provided the Government with a number of recommendations to respond to this situation. The Government has accepted all of the recommendations and the Strategy and mapping is the first of several actions to address the situation
The toll on wildlife throughout the eastern states of Australia has been high, but many small and large wildlife care organisations are trying to rescue and care for injured and orphaned wildlife with limited resources. These organisations will need help for many months to come so regular donations would be appreciated
Following several letters from Gecko asking about the future of The Spit master Plan the Government finally put forward a Bill “The Implementation of The Spit Master Plan” and called for submissions from the public which closed on 16th December 2019. Gecko made a submission
Gecko is generally pleased with the result with the exception that Philip Park is still at risk of being taken over by the cruise ship terminal. Since the completion of the Master Plan the Government has committed $60 million to its implementation over 4 years and recently announced initial expenditure of $6.8 million to improve access to the Spit.
Cruise Ship Terminal – Now Called the Oceanside Terminal – the next stage In the 2019-2020 Council Budget a sum of $1.2 million was allocated to continue to gather information for various reports on the cruise terminal and an Initial
An innovative program to plant koala trees on golf courses has been developed by Helensvale Green group leader David Cuschieri. David has convinced the managers of the Arundel golf course that they can help the local koala population by planting food trees along the sides of the fairways. Golf courses are small havens of green in our city and often link remaining patches of bushland while providing safe, car free places to live, feed and breed
The public consultation period for the Coomera Connector (southern section), or M2 as some call it, will begin on Saturday 9th November, from 7am –3pm at Carrara Markets. This is the first of several opportunities for the public to see where the Coomera Connector, Stage 1, will go and to discuss its impacts with residents who live along the route and those with other concerns.
Generally Gecko members are pleased with The Spit Master Plan which provides for all of the public open space to be retained and enhance with either native planting and, where appropriate basic public facilities.
Springbrook National Park is a short drive inland from Surfers Paradise and is a national park that is so exceptional that it has the status of being a World Heritage listed area, but it too suffers from all the same threats and needs our ongoing support and protection from inappropriate development.
Regrettably there has been little improvement in the plight of the koala on the Gold Coast and throughout South East Queensland as the population continues to grow and the development juggernaut rolls over their habitat.