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
In recent months the Department of Tourism has called for expressions of interest for development of eco- tourism ventures in National Parks. Queensland has only 7% of its area as national park, compared to 50% in Tasmania, however the Government has decided that in order to attract more tourists, developments should be allowed in national parks. Gecko has no objection to day visitors to national parks and would like to see better facilities and interpretation in our parks, but we cannot condone development in any national park.
The applicant for a new water mining business in Repeater Station Rd has had to reapply as water mining was deemed not to be applicable to the rural zone.
Currently Moreton Bay Marine Park’s southern boundary is the northern Seaway wall and the west takes in some of the Broadwater. The review is in 2 stages, with Stage 1 simply being a roll-over of the current zoning plans to ensure the Park retains its protection while extensive community consultation takes place in Stage 2. A discussion paper will be released by the Dept. of Environment and Science around October 2019 with calls for public submissions
The final Master Plan was accepted by all participants and the State Government in May 2019. The Spit is 8 times the size of Southbank parklands so it has enormous potential to be the showcase parkland for the city. It is essential that it is managed sustainably and is not loved to death.
Federal Elections and climate policy: After years of frustration with federal government inaction or worse on climate change, the topic is now well at the top of election discussions. The LNP continues to have a totally inadequate policy on climate change action being hamstrung by the extreme right wing coal loving MPs . The Labor Party has some good policies and the devil will be in the detail as to how they deliver these. The Greens are way out in front with their policies, but are unlikely to be able to deliver them, though they certainly will influence the debate. Other minor parties are generally very conservative and have poorly developed policies if any at all.
On Sunday 10th March the Premier, Anastasia Palaszczuk, and the Minister for Planning, Hon. Cameron Dick launched the draft Spit Master Plan at Muriel Henchman Park on The Spit. After 40 years of campaigning to protect The Spit public open space from unsuitable development we finally have a Plan. This Plan is now available for public comment via the government website www.qld.gov.au/thespit
MAYOR Tom Tate is challenging environmentalists to “show us the money” as the Gold Coast City Council gives the green light to buying up koala habitat. Consultants warned a year ago that the city’s most significant koala population east of the Pacific Motorway would be lost unless authorities agreed to buy up land and relocate the threatened animals.
Your last opportunity to join over 5000 others in signing the Reform of Queensland Planning Legislation Petition by Lois Levy. Very few e-petitions to state parliament attract such strong community support, with this Petition in the top 5%.
Currently there are 5 Councils in Queensland being investigated by the Crime and Corruption Commission for alleged corruption by councillors and/or officers. This, plus the Community and SEQ Alliances’ own experiences with local councils has led to advocacy with the Minister for Local Government for some reforms over and above the Belcarra Reforms. There is a strong link or nexus between alleged council corruption and planning assessment approvals, which has been raised with both the Minister for Local Government, Hon Stirling Hinchliffe, and the Minister for Planning, Hon. Cameron Dick.
Since the very first Queensland National Park was established in 1908 at Witches Falls on Mount Tamborine, the debate about the purpose of national parks has continued. Are national parks primarily for the conservation of nature or are they for the enjoyment of nature by the human population? Or if it is to be both, what weight should the community give to conservation versus enjoyment?