Keeping invasive species in check across Noosa
Published on 21 September 2026
Council has re-endorsed its ongoing Biosecurity Surveillance Program for the next five years, to help protect our environment and agricultural land from invasive plants and animals.
Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, Council has a responsibility to help manage biosecurity risks within our local government area.
The Biosecurity Surveillance Program 2027-2031 enables Council to continue working with private landowners across the shire, to identify and eliminate prohibited and restricted invasive species on their properties, which pose a risk to our local environment.
“This program is an important tool in protecting our natural assets and helping local landholders to meet their biosecurity obligations,” Deputy Mayor Brian Stockwell said.
"Early detection is one of the most effective ways to prevent invasive species from becoming established and causing long-term environmental and economic damage.
“This program has been operating very successfully in Noosa for many years and is focused on working with landholders through education and engagement.”
Under the program, Noosa Shire will be divided into four survey areas, with inspections undertaken on a quarterly rotational basis from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2031.
Authorised officers seek to work with landowners to visit selected properties, to record the presence or absence of prohibited and restricted invasive species and provide guidance on how to manage these of present.
Examples of species targeted through the program include fireweed, groundsel bush, feral red deer and European foxes, along with prohibited species such as tropical soda apple and red-eared slider turtles.
Council Director Strategy and Environment Kim Rawlings said the program had a strong track record of achieving positive outcomes through education and working with landowners, rather than enforcement.
"The success of the program is largely due to the willingness of local landholders to work with Council to protect Noosa's environment, with formal enforcement needed in only a small number of cases," she said.
The program will be delivered through council's existing biosecurity operations and funded within current budgets.
Council will undertake the required public notification and consultation process before the new program commences on 1 January 2027.