Healthy Waterways Social Science Research Report 2016

Healthy Waterways produces an annual report card on environmental conditions and social impacts of the waterways across 18 catchment areas in South East Queensland (SEQ). Through evidence based reporting, Healthy Waterways aims to protect and enhance the condition of these waterways and influence the decisions and actions – including social lifestyle choices – of community members who interact with these waterways. \ud \ud This research report documents the social component of evidence, specifically the attitudinal and behavioural components that underpin social expectations and actions towards valuing and using local and SEQ waterways in communities across the 18 catchment areas in Queensland. The study design and findings from the 2016 Healthy Waterways social study are provided.\ud \ud In 2016, two key research questions guided the research project. The research questions focused on waterway use and waterway condition. The questions investigated to what extent do people use local and SEQ waterways, and to what extent do the conditions of SEQ waterways impact the use and enjoyment of these waterways? \ud \ud The items use to answer these questions were based on existing measures, but also included specific questions and issues used historically in the 2015 survey. A number of constructs or topic areas were identified for the survey that had previously rated survey items (i.e. they have been tested in previous research and found to have reliability and validity). Data for the study were collected through a self-administered 20 minute online survey developed from established scale items and modified for use. In addition, historical questions were used to provide comparative data based on previous surveys. The sample was adults living in the 18 catchment areas in South East Queensland (SEQ) recruited using panel data (n=3263).Data were analysed using the statistical packages SPSS (23). Quantitative analyses provided frequencies, mean statistics, correlations and regressions. \ud \ud Similar to findings reported in the 2015 social science survey (Johnston & Beatson, 2015), respondents confirmed waterways as valuable and important to their lives, and get satisfaction from this use. Respondents most frequently used beaches with the Northern and Southern Gold Coast being the most frequently visited beaches followed by Southern Sunshine Coast. Across the sample, swimming and recreational activities such as walking, cycling, running, and picnics and barbeques, were the most popular activities on waterways, with fishing featuring more prominently in some catchments. Activities involving the use of craft on water, and those requiring sophisticated equipment– such as boating, sailing, water and jet-skiing, sailboarding and kayaking, and scuba diving – were undertaken less frequently. Activities more frequent at local level (within 15kms from their home) than across SEQ. The largest percentage of residents (26.8%) travel only up to 5kms to access their most frequently used waterway. In total however, nearly 40% travel between 11-50kms to access their most frequently used waterway. Respondents feel they get a lot of overall value from using their local waterway (5.13). Tallebudgera-Currumbin catchment recoded the highest level of overall perceived value (M6.15, SD 0.95) whereas Albert catchment was the lowest (M4.63, SD 1.53). Respondents also feel that local waterways give them a ‘third place’ to get away from home and work.\ud \ud Conditions of waterways were found to influence intention or likeliness to use the waterway. Respondents indicated appearance of water and lack of amenities or infrastructure as important considerations. Waterway attributes that encourage usage are Cleanliness, local scenery and ease of access. Waterway attributes discouraging usage were weather and not enough time. \ud \ud Recommendations are offered at the conclusion of the report, with opportunities for future research identified