Biosecurity education program
Officers provide expert advice, information about council's invasive plant and animal programs and education materials to assist community members.
To educate and engage with the community, council's invasive plant and animal officers attend a range of events each year. This enables council to engage with the community and work in collaboration to protect against invasive plants and animals.
Officers will be available at the following events, so come along and say hello!
| Event | Location | Date |
| Australia Day Picnic in Park | Village Park, Buderim | 26 January 2026 |
| Clean up for the Hatchlings | Kawana | 31 January 2026 |
| Clean up Australia Day | To be advised | To be advised |
| Weed (GRT) Workshop with Wayne Vogler | To be advised | March 2026 |
| Invasive plants and animals workshop | To be confirmed | 18 April 2026 1pm–4pm |
| Landsborough Museum Street Festival | To be advised | 16 May 2026 |
| Family Fun Day Kenilworth | Kenilworth Showgrounds | 24 May 2026 |
| Maleny Show | Maleny Showgrounds | 29–30 May 2026 |
| Nambour Show | Nambour Showgrounds | 12–14 June 2026 |
| Sunshine Coast Open Data Day (SCODE) | To be advised | To be advised |
| National Tree Day | Doonan Creek Environmental Reserve | To be advised |
| Garden Expo | Nambour Showgrounds | 10–12 July 2026 |
| Yandina Markets- Pop up stall | Yandina Markets | 22 August 2026 |
| Invasive plants and animals workshop | Eudlo Hall | 19 September 2026 1pm–4pm |
| Welcome the Shorebirds Festival | Golden Beach & Cotton Tree Park | To be advised |
| Manage Invasive Species Month | Various | October 2026 |
| Botanical drawing workshops | Various Council Library locations | October 2026 |
| Friend or Foe Drawing Workshop @ Libraries | Various Council Library locations | 2–8 November 2026 |
| Farmfest | Maleny Showgrounds | 21 November 2026 |
| Trees for Turtles | To be advised | To be advised |
| Leave it | To be advised | To be advised |
If you would like to speak to an officer about invasive plants or animals outside of these events, please contact council and an officer will get in contact with you.
Annual Biosecurity newsletter [PDF 6.5MB]
Authors Rita and Rhea with 'Rocky' the Mary River turtle mascot holding their book
Rocky and the River in Peril
'I am a lucky little bum-breathing turtle, and this river is where I'm meant to be'.
This is a heart-warming story about a curious young turtle seeking another turtle just like him and the journey and challenges he faces as he runs into invasive species along the way. Rocky is a Mary River turtle, which are now critically endangered. Without help, soon there could be no more Mary River turtles left in the wild at all. Invasive animals like the characters in the book, are a danger to native animals like Rocky. Invasive plants like salvinia and cat's claw creeper and many more degrade their habitat and make it difficult for them to survive and find food. Everyone can be a hero for our wonderful wildlife.
Written by council officers Rhea Phelan, Rita Everitt and Francesca McMackin and illustrated by Michelle Lees.
To access a copy of Rocky and the River in Peril:
- book a kindy or school visit with our education team
- visit any Sunshine Coast Council library to borrow a copy.
