Environment
An important part of Council’s role within the region is to maintain and enhance the region’s natural assets, liveability and environment credentials. Get involved in a range of conservation programs and initiatives or explore a range of options for sustainable living.
Caring for our environment
Explore our pages
Subpages
Environment levy
Find out about council's environment levy program.
Environment and Liveability Strategy
Check out our environment and liveability strategy.
Road verge (nature strip) landscaping and maintenance
Find out what you can and can't do on a road verge (nature strip) and who is responsible for maintaining this land
Trees, plants and gardens
Find information on tree clearing and damaging vegetation and discover the Sunshine Coast's many beautiful plants
Native animals
Discover the Sunshine Coast's diverse array of wildlife. Learn about the region's rare and threatened species
Invasive plants and animals
Invasive plants and animals pose a significant threat to our natural areas and native animals, agriculture and production, human health and our way of life.
Sustainability and climate change
Get involved in council's sustainable living programs: living smart and energy conservation. Find out what you can do to combat climate change.
Get involved in conservation
Take part in one of council’s conservation programs to assist in protecting the Sunshine Coast’s beautiful natural environment.
Rivers and coast
The Sunshine Coast prides itself on its natural environment – in countless ways the region's waterways are the source of economic, social and environmental wellbeing.
Bushland protection
Find out more about our plans to keep the Sunshine Coast’s natural environment healthy.
Education, resources and events
Discover the three environmental education centres, environmental education programs for schools, the annual Wildflower Festival, a variety of fact sheets and articles and learn about the Coastal Discovery Van.
Sunshine Coast solar farm
Find out about the Sunshine Coast solar farm including all the project details and view live power feed.
Environmental nuisances and pollution
Council investigates environmental nuisance and pollution under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
Environment news
![Under 13s “Natural Colourful Beauties” by Ryeojin J. Image credit Greg Miller.](https://sunshinecoastcouncil.netlify.app/.netlify/images?w=2160&h=1714&fm=webp&q=80&url=https:%2F%2Fassets-au-scc.kc-usercontent.com:443%2F330b87ea-148b-3ecf-9857-698f2086fe8d%2F657b27cf-adad-4938-958d-9d362ce6beed%2FU13%2520Ryeojin%2520Wild%2520Card.jpg)
Time for rising artists to go completely wild
Enter the Wild HeART Student Art Prize, and your realistic masterpiece and the story that accompanies it will go in the running to win a prize and will feature in the art prize exhibition.
![098A9928.jpg](https://sunshinecoastcouncil.netlify.app/.netlify/images?w=2160&h=3240&fm=webp&q=80&url=https:%2F%2Fassets-au-scc.kc-usercontent.com:443%2F330b87ea-148b-3ecf-9857-698f2086fe8d%2Fab546eda-e962-4bcf-a799-833bbf54ff1a%2F098A9928.jpg)
Amazing visitors: shorebirds back for summer
Join us at Fraser Park, Golden Beach, on September 21, and at Cotton Tree Park, Maroochydore, on September 22, to learn about the amazing journey migratory shorebirds take to return to their summer home and the threats to survival they face.
![Greater%20Glider%201.jpg](https://sunshinecoastcouncil.netlify.app/.netlify/images?w=2160&h=1666&fm=webp&q=80&url=https:%2F%2Fassets-au-scc.kc-usercontent.com:443%2F330b87ea-148b-3ecf-9857-698f2086fe8d%2F132a9386-6e86-486c-8863-4f893010778f%2FGreater%2520Glider%25201.jpg)
Reserve expansion boosts habitat for endangered koalas, gliders
Mature forests, lush gullies, habitat for endangered wildlife are now protected in a key location where our community gathers to enjoy the natural environment.
Beach town vibes drive design for new access
The existing stairs at beach access 83 at Second Bay, Coolum, will be replaced with a new set of robust timber and marine aluminium stairs – similar to others in the area.
![A room full of men and women from Emergency Services and Sunshine Coast Council, are seated at tables. The man from Fire and Rescue is speaking into a microphone. Everyone looks serious and attentive.](https://sunshinecoastcouncil.netlify.app/.netlify/images?w=2160&h=1528&fm=webp&q=80&url=https:%2F%2Fassets-au-scc.kc-usercontent.com:443%2F330b87ea-148b-3ecf-9857-698f2086fe8d%2Fca40c287-6cfa-4d38-a3e6-4395564bb11a%2FLDMG%2520Training%2520Exercise%2520Malu%2520080824_07.jpg)
Emergency responders deliver united front
When the next disaster strikes, Sunshine Coast Council’s disaster and emergency responders must stand together as one united, operational front. Council recently held a training exercise to assess our emergency services’ coordinated response. Because practice makes perfect!