Website Feedback – Report a bug

Website Feedback Only

Please leave your website feedback comments below. If your feedback is about a bug, kindly provide the steps you took so we can replicate the issue.

General Enquiries

For general council inquiries, please see Council Contact page.

Upload files

You can use CTR+V to paste a screenshot from your clipboard directly into the textarea above. Otherwise you can upload a file from your computer below.

back to top

Your guide to managing rural residential property on the Sunshine Coast

The rural landowner handbook is a practical resource for property owners on the Sunshine Coast. It offers direct access to important information on managing rural land, including topics like weed control, vegetation management, bushfire preparedness, earthworks (such as dam construction), on-site wastewater disposal, and water supply systems. Each section links to relevant council pages, helping landowners understand their responsibilities and any restrictions that apply to rural residential properties.

What you’ll find in the handbook

  • Weed and vegetation management: Learn how to identify and control invasive species and maintain native flora.
  • Bushfire risk and safety: Understand bushfire zones and how to prepare your property.
  • Earthworks and dams: Get guidance on legal requirements for land modifications and dam construction.
  • Water supply and waste disposal: Explore sustainable water solutions and compliant waste systems.
  • Local property regulations: Stay up to date with Sunshine Coast Council rules and obligations.
  • and much more.

Important notice

This rural landowner handbook provides general guidance only and is not intended as legal or professional advice. For specific concerns, please consult a qualified expert or contact the Sunshine Coast Council directly.

Handy links from inside the rural landowner handbook.

Handy links from inside the rural landowner handbook.

Scroll down to the page number to find useful links from the Sunshine Coast rural landowner handbook.

Page 4

Biosecurity plan 

Biosecurity inspection program 

Managing invasive plants

Identify and report an invasive plant 

Invasive plants (DAF) 

Herbarium  

Page 7

Report an invasive animal sighting 

Managing invasive animals 

Biosecurity education program

Page 9

Tree clearing on private property 

Planning, building and development services 

Erosion and sediment control 

Page 10 and 11

Bushfire planning  

SCC disaster hub  

Building building guidance - page 55

Bushfires  

QFD find us  

Planning scheme 2014 maps 

Planning scheme document part 8 

Planning, building and development services 

Bushfire management 

Page 12

Building and development fact sheets  

Planning, building and development services 

Page 14

Tourism and accommodation (permits and licenses)  

Development advice services

Tiny houses  

Page 16 and 17

Onsite water treatment and grey water 

Planning, building and development services 

Grey water and bore water (Unitywater)

Rainwater tanks 

Rainwater tanks (yourhome.gov.au)  

Rainwater tanks (Unity water) 

Yellow pages water cartage 

Page 18 and 19

Riverine protection permits (Business QLD)  

Forms and fees for water authorisations (Business QLD) 

Authorisations in water areas (Business QLD) 

Contact RDMW  

Waterway barrier (DAF) 

Extracting riverine quarrying materials  

Page 20 and 21

Tidal works (Queensland Government)  

Fish habitat areas (parks) 

Fish habitat areas (Business QLD) 

Levee banks 

Watercourse works 

Get involved in conservation