Parks for People: Meeting the outdoor recreation demands of a growing regional population

Abstract

Rapidly growing regions such as South East Queensland strive to maintain the quality of life and standards of liveability that initially attracted the incoming population. Continued urbanisation invariably leads to a loss of open space, a loss of regional landscape quality and limitations on opportunities for outdoor recreation. This paper examines the potential role of regional parks as a policy option and as environmental infrastructure capable of addressing many challenges associated with rapidly urbanising regions. The paper proposes determining a regional parks network that can provide a full array of environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits. Investigations have considered a range of regional park types based on a recreation opportunity and level of service approach. If the concepts outlined are adopted and developed within the SEQ regional planning process, this will make a significant contribution to the achievement of the regional visions of sustainability and liveability.