Healthy natural areas, connected parklands and opportunities to experience native wildlife continue to be among the values most consistently identified by the community about Oxley Creek, according to five years of community survey data.

The findings come from Brisbane Sustainability Agency’s annual social values survey, which has been tracking how people experience and value the Oxley Creek corridor since 2021.

The survey complements important environmental monitoring, helping project teams understand not only how the environment is changing, but how those changes are being experienced by the community.

Across five years of responses, several themes have been consistently identified by the community. Survey participants continue to place high value on healthy natural environments, walking and cycling opportunities, wildlife experiences, cleaner waterways and quality visitor facilities.

These findings help inform restoration priorities and future planning across the Oxley Creek Transformation.

Nature remains a top priority

Healthy natural areas have been a consistent theme throughout five years of community feedback. Native vegetation, shade, wetlands and healthy waterways consistently rank among the aspects of Oxley Creek that people value most.

These insights continue to inform environmental restoration works across the project area. Since the transformation began, more than 150,000 native plants representing over 150 species have been established throughout the corridor, supported by wetland restoration, weed management and shade tree planting programs.

While environmental restoration is a long-term process, these projects are contributing to healthier habitats and improved experiences for visitors.

Connecting people with nature

Walking and cycling continue to feature prominently in survey responses, as is the importance of connected and accessible parklands and trails.

The insights have informed planning for future Greenway connections and have supported upgrades to recreational infrastructure, including improvements to walking tracks and seating at Archerfield Wetlands.

Brisbane Sustainability Agency says creating stronger connections between parks and natural areas will help more people access and enjoy the corridor.

Wildlife experiences highly valued

Opportunities to experience native wildlife continue to be highly valued by the community.

Survey participants regularly identify birds, frogs, fish and other native species as an important part of what makes the corridor unique.

In response, habitat restoration projects continue to play an important role in the transformation program. Recent initiatives have included the installation of nest boxes and habitat logs, bird monitoring programs and ongoing restoration works at Archerfield Wetlands to support biodiversity across the corridor.

Investing in visitor amenities

The survey findings also show that people value practical visitor facilities that make parklands easy and enjoyable to visit.

Pathways, seating, picnic areas, toilets, parking and visitor information are consistently identified as important features that enhance the experience of spending time along Oxley Creek.

Several improvements have already been delivered, with further upgrades planned as restoration and parkland projects progress.

Informing future decisions

The annual social values survey is one of the ways Brisbane Sustainability Agency monitors how people experience the Oxley Creek corridor over time. Together with environmental monitoring, the survey contributes to an evidence base that helps inform future planning, prioritise investment and evaluate restoration outcomes. As work continues across the corridor, the survey provides an ongoing measure of how the community experiences Oxley Creek and the places they value most.

You can read the results of this year’s Social Values Survey here.