Biosecurity Plan | Sunshine Coast Council

Background and purpose

In October 2024, Council adopted the Sunshine Coast Biosecurity Plan 2024. This 5-year plan replaced the 2017 plan.

The Plan provides a framework for managing priority invasive plants and animals.

Legislative and policy context

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014 everyone in Queensland has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO). This GBO requires everyone to manage biosecurity risks under their control.

The Act requires local governments to prepare a biosecurity plan. This is to assist community and land managers to meet their GBO for weeds and pest animals.

Protecting our region against invasive species is an ongoing priority for Council. Managing invasive plants and animals is reflected in Council's Environment and Liveability Strategy.

About the Sunshine Coast Biosecurity Plan

The Biosecurity Plan includes information to assist landholders with invasive species management. This helps to focus efforts and effectively allocate time and resources to weed and pest management.

The Plan presents the highest priority invasive plants and animals for the Sunshine Coast. These were determined by assessing all species (listed in the Act) that are impacting or threatening our region. The Plan sets out management objectives for each of the priority species.

Prevention

These species are not currently found on the Sunshine Coast. If these species became established, they could result in significant impacts. It is important for land managers to prevent the entry and establishment of these species.

Eradication

These species are present in low numbers and found in only a few locations on the Sunshine Coast. However, if they spread further, they will cause significant impacts. Elimination of these species is achievable for land managers.

Containment

These species are found in parts of the Sunshine Coast but not everywhere. Where they do occur, they cause notable impacts. Land managers should reduce the impact of these species and stop their spread across the landscape.

Asset protection

These species occur across the whole of the Sunshine Coast. They cause some impacts where they occur. These species should be managed when they threaten or impact high-value assets. This may include important environmental, agriculture, or community areas.

The Plan also identifies alert and locally significant invasive plant species. These are species that are not listed in the Act but have the potential to impact our region.

For information on how to reduce impacts from these species view the Sunshine Coast Biosecurity Plan 2024 fact sheet.

The Sunshine Coast Council Biosecurity Implementation Plan 2024 supports the Biosecurity Plan. This details ongoing and new actions for Council and the community to carry out to protect our region.