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
Your help is urgently needed in the campaign to save the Gold Coast’s koalas. It is only public pressure on both State and Local Government that will force action.
Council has continued to spend ratepayer funds on investigations into this proposal, despite strong community opposition to this proposal as well as all previous cruise ship proposals since 2003. The resultant reports are heavily redacted especially information regarding financial and physical risks, information the community is entitled to know about! The proposal was sent to the Co-ordinator General who declined to consider it until the Spit Master Plan process is complete in late 2019.
Gecko Recycle Scheme for hard to recycle items is coming to fruition. These items are Household Batteries, CDs & DVDs, Printer Cartridges, and Mobile Phones, which currently end up in the council tip. This program is designed to place a Hard to Recycle container in every shopping centre so such items can be safely disposed of and a volunteer will empty the container on a regular basis.
Light Rail Stage 3b is intended to travel through Palm Beach and on to the Gold Coast Airport, though the route is not yet decided. There is no doubt that the light rail is a popular form of public transport and is preferred to increasing congestion of the roads.
The campaign to stop the infill of the Lake has continued unabated over past months, but nothing has swayed either the Council or the Gold Coast Turf Club. The Lake is now partially filled and the GC Turf Club apparently intends to fill it all, except for whatever small amount is needed for flood mitigation.
Will 2019 be the year Australia takes on its responsibilities in effective action on climate change? Our Federal Government continues to fail to put into practice any meaningful policy on tackling climate change, apparently held hostage to the small group of right wing climate change deniers within the LNP
The objectives of this campaign is to amend the Planning Act 2016 so that the interests of the community are paramount over those of the development industry.
In early December another of the weekend workshops to design the Spit Master Plan was held at SeaWorld, with representatives from the community, business and community groups present. This time the focus was on pulling together outcomes of public consultation on the 72 Options.
The Gecko Environment Council Campaign Team continues to meet fortnightly and as in past years has achieved much in 2017-2018. Unlike many other environment groups formed to advocate for one particular issue, Gecko, as the peak regional environment group, does its best to respond to a wide range of issues relating to conservation of species, sustainability or transparency and accountability in government
The Spit is a unique city asset that all Gold Coasters, regardless of where they live, can enjoy and protect. Several workshops have been held. From these detailed discussions the consultants have produced an Options Paper which is now out for public consultation. The survey concludes on 25th November - please take part.