Every day along the NSW coast, people are heading to the beach, walking coastal tracks and spending time with family and friends by the water.
Regular visits to the NSW coast have increased significantly over the past three years, with new survey findings showing stronger community connection, rising participation in coastal activities and growing recognition of the coast’s role in supporting health and wellbeing.
The findings come from Wave 2 of the NSW marine estate community wellbeing survey, which gathered responses from more than 3,600 residents, visitors and young people across seven coastal regions.
Compared with 2021, more than 90,000 additional residents now visit the coast weekly or daily.
Participation in popular activities has also risen sharply, with hundreds of thousands more people swimming, walking, sightseeing and enjoying picnics and cafes.
Many respondents said the coast plays an important role in managing stress and supporting mental health.
One participant said, “Whenever I feel stressed, I walk along the beach or sit on the sand. It does wonders for my mental health.”
Another noted, “The sight of the ocean adds a positive mental health aspect to my fitness walks.”
The survey also found a stronger sense of identity linked to the coast, alongside increasing environmental stewardship. An estimated 150,000 more residents reported cleaning up litter, and young people expressed strong interest in being involved in coastal management.
However, the results highlight emerging challenges. Litter remains the top concern for the community impacting on their coastal experience. Overcrowding and illegal activities are rising issues, particularly for visitors, who reported increased impacts from these in 2024.
The findings will help government agencies and councils plan programs and policies that protect coastal values and support community wellbeing.
The next survey is scheduled for 2027 to continue tracking trends and inform future action.
This project is funded by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development under the Marine Estate Management Strategy.
For more information, visit www.marine.nsw.gov.au/statewide-projects/enhancing-community-benefits/nsw-marine-estate-community-wellbeing-surveys-social-benefits-monitoring-and-research
