SOCIAL
.RESULTS
unchanged
high
confidence
SOCIAL HEALTH RESULTS
There was no new assessment of the Social indicators this year; results have carried over from the 2022 report card. The following graph shows the scores received in 2022 (top line) versus the score received in 2019 for each indicator (bottom row).
Very good (0.85-1.00)
Poor (0.25-0.49)
Good (0.65-0.84)
Satisfactory (0.5-0.64)
Very Poor (0.00-0.24)
No data available
RESULTS
As the Social Health scores have shown little variation over the life of the report card, monitoring for this component only occurs every third year. As such, the 2023 Gladstone Harbour Report Card uses the 2022 Social Health assessment and the results have been carried over. The previous assessment was conducted three years prior (2019) and results have been shown for comparison.
Social Health is comprised of three indicator groups: Harbour Usability, Harbour Access and Liveability and Wellbeing. These Social indicator groups were developed from the GHHP vision and piloted in 2014 to address the following report card objectives:
• To maintain or improve easy access to the Harbour waters and foreshore for recreation and community use
• To maintain or improve a safe harbour for all users
• To enhance liveability and wellbeing in the region
The overall grade for Social Health has been good (B) since 2016, indicating that the Gladstone community continues to enjoy the harbour. The grades for all indicator groups were consistent with previous years. The highest indicator scores were Satisfaction with access to the harbour (0.75) and Satisfaction with harbour recreational activities (0.73).
Harbour Usability Results
Harbour Access
Results
Liveability/
Wellbeing Results
WHAT WAS MEASURED?
The Social Health of Gladstone Harbour was assessed based on three indicator groups: Harbour usability, Harbour access and Liveability and Wellbeing. The Social Health indicators were assessed through a Computer-Assisted Telephone Interview survey and an online version of the same survey, with a total of 200 participants.
The Harbour Usability indicator group comprised three indicators: (1) Satisfaction with harbour recreational activities, (2) Perceptions of air and water quality in the harbour area and (3) Perceptions of harbour safety for human use. The marine safety incidents and oil spills measures were assessed through secondary data sourced from Maritime Safety Queensland, Department of Transport and Main Roads.
The Harbour Access indicator group comprised four indicators: (1) satisfaction with access to the harbour, (2) satisfaction with boat ramps and public spaces, (3) perceptions of harbour health and (4) perceptions of barriers to access.
Liveability refers to the elements in a region that affect how individuals feel about living there. Those elements include the physical environment (natural and human) and social elements such as feelings of community spirit, wellbeing, culture and opportunities for work and recreation. The Liveability and Wellbeing survey questions related to whether Gladstone Harbour makes living in Gladstone a better experience and the level of participation in community events.
HARBOUR USABILITY
The following graph compares the Harbour Usability scores reported for 2023 (2022 data - top line)
to those from the previous assessment in 2019 (bottom line).
The Satisfaction with harbour recreational activities indicator was graded good (B), while the Perceptions of air and water quality and Perceptions of harbour safety for human use indicators both received satisfactory grades (C).
This was the seventh consecutive year that the satisfaction with harbour recreational activities indicator has received a good (B) grade. One of its measures (satisfaction with the last recreational trip) received the highest measure score (0.76) within the Harbour Usability indicator group.
Since monitoring began, the Perceptions of air and water quality indicator has increased in score (0.46 in 2014 to 0.59 in 2022). Overall, Harbour Usability maintained a satisfactory grade with a similar score to 2019 when it was last assessed.
Like the previous years, most of the community viewed the harbour area as a place that provides recreational facilities and an environment for leisure activities. The residents continue to see the harbour as a producer of healthy seafood for consumption and a safe place to enjoy. Concerns about air and water pollutants continue but these do not appear to impact the communities use of or satisfaction with the harbour. Air and water quality concerns may be an artefact of past issues and the proximity of industry in and around the Gladstone Harbour area.
*The 2023 Gladstone Harbour Report Card uses the 2022 Social Health assessment and the results have been carried over.
HARBOUR ACCESS
The following graph compares the Harbour Access scores reported for 2023 (2022 data - top line)
to those from the previous assessment in 2019 (bottom line).
Indicator grades ranged from satisfactory (C) for Perceptions of harbour health to good (B) for Satisfaction with harbour access. Satisfaction with boat ramps and public spaces and perceptions of barriers to access both had high scores (0.67 and 0.69, respectively) and good grades (B). All four indicator scores were broadly consistent with previous years.
Of the 11 measures used to report on the Harbour Access indicator group there were seven good grades (B), three satisfactory grades (C) and one poor grade (D). All four Harbour Access indicator scores have been steadily increasing since the pilot report card in 2014.
Overall, harbour access received a good grade (B). This was a similar result to the past three years.
Results indicate that residents continue to enjoy accessing the harbour, public spaces and boat ramps. Perceptions of harbour health were satisfactory and have showed minimal change over the past three years. Residents further agreed that they have fair access to the harbour compared to its other users. However, respondents continue to perceive that marine debris and litter is a problem in Gladstone Harbour. Despite this, they did not see the amounts of marine debris, commercial shipping and recreational boating activity as hindrances to harbour access. The harbour environment is viewed positively by many residents and they believe this will continue.
*The 2023 Gladstone Harbour Report Card uses the 2022 Social Health assessment and the results have been carried over.
LIVEABILITY / WELLBEING
The following graph compares the Liveability/Wellbeing scores reported for 2023 (2022 data - top line)
to those from the previous assessment in 2019 (bottom line).
The contribution of Gladstone Harbour to its liveability and community wellbeing was graded good (B) – the same score as the previous year. When compared to the scores from the previous assessment, the Makes living in Gladstone a better experience measure slightly increased (2019: 0.76, 2022: 0.78, the Participate in community events measure decreased (2019: 0.56, 2022: 0.55) and the Aesthetic value measure increased (2019: 0.73, 2022: 0.76).
There has been minimal change in the Liveability and Wellbeing indicator over the past five years. Generally, people living in the Gladstone Region feel that Gladstone Harbour provides them with a positive living experience and quality of life. Many residents continue to participate in community events, such as The Gladstone Harbour Festival, Eco-Fest and Boyne Tannum Hook-Up, that are held in and around the harbour area. Overall, respondents enjoyed going to the harbour due to its natural beauty.
*The 2023 Gladstone Harbour Report Card uses the 2022 Social Health assessment and the results have been carried over.