The Gold Coast is famous for its natural assets as much as, if not more than its glitterati. Behind the scenes are environmental groups pushing for protection of our natural assets to ensure the city’s appeal and livability are sustained.
This is a non-exhaustive list of some of these groups:
Gecko operates in three main areas: advocacy, environmental education of children and adults and coordinating events such as Clean Up Australia Day, Green Week, Gecko Awards and environmental forums. Gecko’s current advocacy includes no commercial development within national parks and for more protected areas; climate action at community and council levels; more public open space; and sustainability in the built environment.
Wildlife Preservation Society QLD, Gold Coast & Hinterland Branch (WPSQ) are prolific in their protection of National Parks, Protected and Public Places. WPSQ have been key advocates challenging local and state government in the integrity of policy in issues such as Black Swan Lake and Beach Bars. WPSQ run various programs including Urban Land for Wildlife and are strong supporters of groups like Bats QLD. Want to put those silly-season empties to a good cause this year? You can donate funds from Container for Changes with the WPSQ code C10300304.
Coomera Conservation promotes koala habitat conservation for Coomera, a northern Gold Coast suburb. The group recognises that this part of the city is seeing high population growth and states it is not anti-development. Coomera Conservation does clearly state this should not come at the expense of one of the most important koala habitats of Australia.
Save Our Spit Alliance Incorporated (SOSA) is a volunteer, not-for-profit community alliance of Gold Coast residents, visitors and passive tourism operators committed to preserving the Gold Coast Spit, Broadwater and their foreshores, beaches, islands and waterways as public open space, both now and for future generations.
Friends of Federation Walk have been instrumental for over three decades in native flora regeneration and establishing and maintaining a network of paths in 93ha of The Spit. The Federation Walk Coastal Reserve has been dubbed the ‘Central Park of the Gold Coast’. The group still holds public planting days.
Friends of Nerang National Park is a not-for-profit volunteer group operating in partnership with QLD Parks and Wildlife Service & Partnerships. It is dedicated to promotion, enhancement, and conservation of Nerang National Park on Kombumerri country. Primary objectives for Nerang National Park include ecological restoration, raising awareness of the natural and cultural values and engaging the community in citizen science activities.
Loders Creek Catchment Association (LCCA)'s purpose is to connect a community of people through sharing our respect for the environment, love of nature, being outdoors and gardening. The Community garden is located in Southport, situated next to the Butterfly and Senses Garden, bordered by Loders Creek. There is a childrens' playground close by and plenty of parkland to explore. LCCA have recently launched the second edition of their book, 'Wildlife of the Gold Coast'.
Cableway No Way was established in 1998 to fight a proposed cableway to Springbrook. The group is still active as there have been three more proposals since then. The council is presently conducting feasibility studies for a cableway.
Save Springbrook's Waterfalls set up to fight the extraction of water for the bottled water industry from the aquifers of Springbrook. There are two active water mines on Springbrook selling water to soft drink and other bottling companies.
Watergum facilitates a range of projects monitoring local wildlife. Watergum recently organised the GC Bioblitz event to provide the community with a unique opportunity to experience the wonders of nature in Numinbah Valley. This citizen science project provides opportunities to survey and collect vital data on rare and endangered species. Watergum also joined forces with Sea World to fill data gaps on nesting turtles on the Gold Coast.
Surfrider Foundation fights for ocean protection, plastic reduction in marine environments, fair beach access, climate impacting our shorelines and clean water.
Austinville Landcare Group partners with the GCCC’s Natural Areas Management Unit’s NaturallyGC Volunteer Landcare Program. The current focus of the groups is on the restoration of the Austinville Conservation Area. The group was started in 2005 by Wal Mayr, who won the 2022 Australian Landcarer of the Year award.