2026 to 27 Federal Pre-Budget Submission

Outdoor mindfulness and quiet zones pilot program

Submitted by: NaturismRE Pty Ltd
Prepared by: Vincent Marty, Founder
Sydney, Australia
www.NaturismRE.com

Introduction

NaturismRE submits this proposal seeking Commonwealth support for a national Outdoor Mindfulness and Quiet Zones Pilot Program. The initiative would establish low-stimulus, restorative outdoor environments in selected public parks and reserves, enabling residents to practise mindfulness, quiet reflection and emotional recovery within nature.

Growing evidence shows that nature exposure, quiet environments and outdoor mindfulness support stress reduction, cognitive clarity, emotional regulation and long-term mental wellbeing. Despite these benefits, public parks are rarely designed with dedicated quiet areas, and many people avoid outdoor spaces because of noise, overstimulation or social discomfort.

This submission presents a scalable, low-cost model that aligns with national mental health priorities and strengthens preventive health outcomes across Australia. Attachments outline the program framework and supporting research.

National context and need

Mental health pressures continue to rise across Australia, affecting young people, adults and seniors. Stress, anxiety and emotional fatigue are major contributors to reduced wellbeing and increased reliance on clinical services. Simple, accessible wellbeing environments can help alleviate these pressures, but many communities lack structured outdoor spaces designed specifically for emotional recovery.

Public parks are essential assets for wellbeing, but they are often dominated by high-activity areas, leaving limited opportunity for calm, reflective use. People who would benefit from quiet environments frequently avoid parks due to overstimulation or lack of suitable areas. These challenges limit the preventive health potential of Australia’s public green spaces.

A national pilot will allow the Commonwealth to measure the benefits of quiet-zone wellbeing environments and assess their feasibility for wider adoption.

Proposal

NaturismRE proposes a twelve-month pilot introducing Outdoor Mindfulness and Quiet Zones across selected public parks in multiple states. These clearly marked areas would support peaceful outdoor activities such as mindfulness, grounding, quiet reflection and restorative rest.

The pilot would:

establish low-stimulus wellbeing zones using minimal infrastructure
evaluate health and wellbeing outcomes for participants
collect data on usage patterns and community response
identify optimal design principles for quiet spaces
support national strategies for preventive mental health and community wellbeing

The quiet zones remain fully voluntary and accessible to all park users.

Why Commonwealth involvement is required

A national pilot ensures:

consistent site design and evaluation
engagement from councils across jurisdictions
data collection across diverse populations
alignment with federal mental health and preventive health frameworks
support for regional and urban wellbeing initiatives

Federal participation enables coordinated implementation, national analysis and integration into long-term wellbeing policy.

Implementation model

The pilot will follow a simple, replicable structure:

Zone design

vegetation buffers
natural landform boundaries
low timber screens where needed
rustic seating or minimalistic rest platforms
subtle quiet-zone signage

Site selection

Councils will nominate suitable parks based on accessibility, vegetation, community need and environmental suitability.

Program phases

Phase one. Partnership formation, site assessment and minimal installation.
Phase two. Twelve-month activation period with ongoing monitoring.
Phase three. Evaluation, reporting and national recommendations.

Expected national benefits

Health benefits

reduction in stress and emotional fatigue
more residents accessing nature-based wellbeing practices
improved emotional regulation
stronger resilience and recovery from daily pressures

Social benefits

greater use of public parks for quiet recreation
improved community inclusion for people needing calm environments
enhanced social cohesion through shared wellbeing infrastructure
support for seniors, people with anxiety, and sensory-sensitive individuals

Economic benefits

low-cost implementation
reduced demand for mental health services through preventive support
increased visitation to underutilised parks
evidence for future federal, state and council planning

Alignment with national priorities

The pilot supports objectives of:

the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan
the National Preventive Health Strategy
the Australian Government’s wellbeing measures
urban and regional development strategies
tourism and environmental planning goals

Outdoor wellbeing environments reflect global best practice in public health and environmental design.

Attachment 1

Outdoor mindfulness and quiet zones framework and implementation guide

Purpose

Quiet zones provide peaceful outdoor environments for emotional regulation, stress reduction and restorative nature engagement. They require minimal infrastructure and can be integrated easily into public parks.

Design principles

natural vegetation buffers
subtle wooden panel screening
calm colour palette and minimal visual intrusion
clear quiet-zone signage
simple resting features such as platforms or benches

Conduct guidelines

quiet voices
no amplified sound
respect for space and privacy
calm, reflective behaviour

Implementation steps

site identification
community engagement
minimal installation
activation and monitoring
evaluation and reporting

Expected outcomes

greater comfort in parks
improved emotional wellbeing
increased outdoor participation
stronger alignment with preventive health goals

Attachment 2

Evidence brief on nature, calm environments and mental health

Nature exposure

Studies show that natural environments reduce cortisol, improve emotional balance, support cognitive clarity and strengthen resilience.

Quiet environments

Low-stimulus environments help individuals reduce sensory overload, regulate emotions, restore focus and recover from stress.

Outdoor mindfulness

Mindfulness practices performed outdoors are associated with lower anxiety, improved coping capacity and stronger present-moment awareness.

Barriers to park use

Many people avoid parks due to noise, crowding or social discomfort. Designated quiet zones reduce these barriers and increase participation.

Relevance to federal priorities

Quiet-zone wellbeing spaces support community mental health, preventive health initiatives and public-space activation while requiring minimal investment.

Slutsats

The Outdoor Mindfulness and Quiet Zones Pilot provides a scalable, low-cost approach to improving emotional wellbeing, strengthening community resilience and activating Australia’s public spaces. A national pilot will generate valuable evidence to guide long-term planning and policy development.

NaturismRE is prepared to collaborate with government agencies, councils and researchers to support this initiative.

Kontakt

Vincent Marty
Founder, NaturismRE Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia
[email protected]