Getting past NIMBY: new insights on participatory planning and protest

Local resistance to proposed developments can be divisive, costly in time and delays, and damage reputations. We use typologies of process sheriff and enlightened resistance to explore community opposition to a proposed beachfront development in South East Queensland, Australia. Content analysis of protest signs, submissions to government, and interviews with community leaders uncovered community values and coherent themes of concern for transparent governance, environment, lifestyle, and identity. Our research reinforces the importance of genuine public consultation, demonstrates legitimate concerns often dismissed as NIMBYism, and contributes practical ways to acknowledge community values in planning decisions.