Working with Alliance Planning and EarthCheck, the study identified the potential drivers and demands for the development of Nature Based Recreation and Tourism, particularly for residents of and tourists visiting of the Lockyer Valley and wider South East Queensland region. This study was commissioned by Lockyer Valley Regional Council as part of their Integrated Land Management Program.

This included consideration of opportunities for activities primarily concerned with the direct enjoyment of the natural environment within Council reserves such as bushwalking, horse trail riding, mountain biking, nature appreciation/photography, camping, and wild swimming. The study developed an Assessment Framework that combines an analysis of site opportunities and constraints to enable objective assessment of the potential of selected reserves to support Nature Based Recreation and/or Tourism.

The study was based on field work and desk top analysis to identify barriers (access, hazards and risks), opportunities and benefits (based on site characteristics, features of interest and recreation potential including through a gap analysis of current provision). As a result of the study, several of Council’s reserves were identified to have potential for the development of more detailed site development proposals and feasibility studies.