Maroochy 2025 Community Visioning & Action - A Case Study of Anticipatory Action Learning Practices in Use Within Maroochy Shire, Queensland, Australia

This article provides a brief introduction to the Maroochy 2025 Community Visioning project, highlighting the benefits in using Anticipatory Action Learning approaches as a method of consultation. One of the many unique aspects of Maroochy 2025 has been the use of futures studies methods in conjunction with community and social planning approaches. The use of anticipatory action learning activities within Maroochy 2025 provided both new learning and opportunities for both communities and local government. This included reframing an understanding of future issues facing Maroochy Shire and discovering innovative and intuitive answers to future issues through the development of collective visions and actions. Maroochy Shire is situated 100 kilometres north of Brisbane, within the South East Queensland Region. With South East Queensland rated as one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, growth management is a vital issue for Maroochy Shire. The Australian Bureau of Statistics forecasts South-East Queensland increasing in population from 2.46 million to 3.4 million by 2021. Of this, the Sunshine Coast is expected to experience one of the largest increases, estimated to double from 245,000 to 435,000 people1 moving to the Sunshine Coast. Maroochy Shire is expected to absorb more than half of this population growth. This would equate to an increase of 237,000 Maroochy residents within 16 years (2021) compared with current population figures estimated at 130,000 in 2004