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Weeds and Pest Animals

Weeds and pest animals impact upon the quality of life of all Sunshine Coast residents. They degrade our natural resources, damage precious remnant vegetation, compromise biodiversity and interfere with human health and recreation.

Pest animals, in particular foxes and cats, are having major impacts on native animal populations in the region, while many of south east Queensland's 1000 weed species are currently threatening the Coast's native vegetation. Further impacts will be seen under climate change scenarios, with weeds potentially replacing many native species that may be affected by heat stress, drought, fire and storm damage.

Council undertakes a number of initiatives to manage weeds and pest animals on the Coast such as trapping programs, research and trials, education and landholder support. Residents can contribute by learning about weed identification and control and weed friendly garden practices.

Pest Management Planning

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Maroochy Pest Management Plan 2006-2010

The former Maroochy Council developed the Maroochy Pest Management Plan 2006–2010 to manage weeds and feral animals in the shire and to fulfil the requirements of the Land Protection Act 2002. The plan means council can prioritise species, actions and areas for pest management in the Maroochy area.

Draft Caloundra City Council Pest Management Plan

The former Caloundra City Council devised a draft Pest Management Plan for the period 2007–2011, to help control and manage pest species across the region. The plan provides an overview of the important issues and some recommended strategies to address the issues. 

Pest survey program

Council will be conducting a new pest survey program from 6 October to 18 December 2009 in accordance with Sections 241 and 242 of the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. The purpose is to enter places throughout the region in order to monitor and enforce compliance with the requirements of the Land Protection Act 2002 as follows:

  • survey properties which may harbour declared pests 
  • monitor and enforce compliance with the requirements of the Land Protection Act 2002
  • map the distribution of declared pests.

Officers conducting these inspections will make every attempt to contact the occupier prior to entry.

The Pest Survey Program Report can also be purchased from council's customer service centres.

Weed Control Demonstration Project

The Maroochy Showgrounds Weed Control Demonstration Project is an initiative under the Maroochy Pest Management Plan. The project highlights how community and council can work together to control weeds and restore the environment.

The project started in May 2006 when council arborists began removing pest trees from the weed control demonstration site at the Maroochy Showgrounds. Council is gradually replacing the trees with native plant species. Read more about the project and the detrimental effect weeds have on the coast’s natural environment in the Weed Control Demonstration Project Fact Sheet [PDF 573KB].

Further information

Last Updated 16-Jun-09