Powerful insight that shows our future is bright

Three years on from the Sunshine Coast Biosphere designation, a key indicator shows our community is already committed to making a difference.

The insight comes from this year’s Living on the Sunshine Coast survey, which ran during March and April for its fifth year and attracted more than 1,500 responses from community members.

The annual survey investigates factors and priorities that are most important to quality of life for Sunshine Coast communities.

This year’s survey also investigated residents’ understanding of our Sunshine Coast Biosphere.

The data revealed a powerful insight: regardless of how much they know about the Sunshine Coast Biosphere, around 80 per cent of residents agree they have a responsibility to contribute to sustainable practices within it.

Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said the result was a clear sign that the community was on board with our region’s sustainability journey.

“Our Sunshine Coast Biosphere is a daily reminder we live in an incredible place; more than that, it’s a call to action to contribute in any small ways we can,” Cr Suarez said.

“Now we see that even for those who have little or no knowledge of our Biosphere status, there is still a strong sense that we can all play a part in a sustainable future.

“To me, that’s incredibly encouraging.”

Biosphere Reserves are designated by UNESCO as learning places for sustainable development, with strong connections within communities and with nature.

Community views to help shape our region’s future

The Living on the Sunshine Coast survey seeks to understand the values and priorities of a wide range of residents, including those who may be less likely to participate in other engagement opportunities.

The survey targets residents from all areas of the region to ensure the data is reflective of the entire community. 

“It’s a vital tool to help measure the current quality of life for people in our communities, while also identifying emerging issues,” Cr Suarez said.

Insights from the survey complement Council’s various consultation activities to help inform Council strategies, policies and plans.

In 2025, our community identified the top five themes of importance for liveability as:

1. feeling safe
2. access to the natural environment
3. a lack of road congestion
4. high quality health services
5. affordable decent housing.

In 2025, our community identified they had the best experience with:

1. access to the natural environment
2. high quality health services
3. feeling safe
4. high-quality education opportunities
5. the ability to view and participate in sports and recreation.

Our community continued to rate their physical and mental health and social wellbeing higher than the Australian average.

Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Tim Burns said the themes identified in the survey reinforced Council’s priorities.

“Being well-connected to our natural environment and feeling safe continue to be high priorities for our community every year,” Cr Burns said.

“That connection to the natural environment underscores the importance of Council’s work to maintain and enhance green spaces, purchase and protect important land for conservation, and so many more actions set down in our Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Strategy.

“Meanwhile, feeling safe is a key consideration in Council-managed public lighting, or when designing community spaces.

“Through actions in the Sunshine Coast Community Strategy, Council also supports and works with communities, groups and police on a range of programs that address neighbourhood safety, domestic and family violence prevention, and community connection.

“Thanks to the survey findings, we can champion all these initiatives with confidence, knowing it’s what our community needs.”

Community connection to Biosphere values

In a series of new questions added this year, residents were asked about their awareness of the Sunshine Coast Biosphere.

About half (49 per cent) reported some level of awareness, to varying degrees: 9 per cent knew a lot about it, 24 per cent knew a little, and 16 per cent had heard the term but nothing else.

Cr Burns said the Biosphere celebrated positive change, further supported by initiatives like the Sunshine Coast Biosphere Community Awards.

“We all have the power to make a difference, whether that’s by connecting with people in your neighbourhood, trying composting or buying from local businesses.

“In this way, we can all work together to care for our natural environment, belong to a thriving community, grow our local economy and create a sustainable planet.”

Community and nature connections key

Findings on the Sunshine Coast are benchmarked against South East Queensland, Queensland and Australia.

Compared with the average Australian or Queenslander, Sunshine Coast residents have consistently placed higher importance on being able to access the environment and also reported a better experience of accessing the natural environment.

“The survey explores factors that influence how we live in our communities, how we value our environment and how our local economy can support us,” Cr Burns said.

“These factors, including housing, health, transport, a sense of community and recreation are all important aspects of our Sunshine Coast Biosphere and all influence the sustainability and liveability of our region.”

You can explore the full Living on the Sunshine Coast survey findings online, along with many more local data insights.

About the Living on the Sunshine Coast Survey

Sunshine Coast Council engages independent Australian demographic and economic consultancy firm .id (informed decisions) for the robust survey and data analysis process. The firm works with more than 300 local governments across the nation.

The survey is targeted to Sunshine Coast residents only and responses from outside the local government boundary are removed. Survey responses continue to be collected until it is certain the results are representative of the entire Sunshine Coast community of communities.

Once survey responses are collected, de-identified data is provided to Council and published online with respondents remaining anonymous.