NOOSA BIOSECURITY PLAN 2026-2031 · Report

Page 2

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                        6 OCTOBER 2026



RECOMMENDATION
That Council
   A. Note the report by the Environmental Services Manager to the General Committee dated 6
      October 2026 regarding the final Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026-2031 following completion of
      community consultation;
   B. Note the submissions received as summarised in Attachment 1 and thank the submitters for
      their input into the Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2020;
   C. Adopt the Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026-2031 as shown in Attachment 2;
   D. Authorise the CEO to make minor changes as required to the Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026-
      2031 if required prior to publishing on Council's website; and
   E. Note that subject to Council adoption of the Biosecurity Plan 2026-2031 any additional
      resourcing requested to deliver the plan will be addressed via annual budget processes.


REPORT
Biosecurity is defined as efforts to prevent, respond to and recover from pests and diseases that
threaten the economy and the environment. Under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 all public
and private landowners have a general biosecurity obligation to take all reasonable and practical
measures to prevent or minimise biosecurity risks on human health, amenity, economy and the
environment.

The development of the draft Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026-2031 (Plan) is consistent with the Noosa
Environment Strategy 2019 for biodiversity and sustainable living goals of improving the condition
and extent of our natural ecosystems and adopting sustainable agricultural practices.

The Plan does not consider fauna species protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 that
may be a nuisance to some residents, such as flying-foxes, magpies, brush turkeys and snakes.

The purpose of the Plan is to manage invasive plant and animal biosecurity risks to people
biodiversity, and the local economy based on priorities and actions that are reasonable and practical
for the community and land managers.

A biosecurity risk assessment using the standardised approach developed by Biosecurity
Queensland has identified the highest priority invasive species, their management feasibility, and
appropriate management approach across the Noosa Shire. Invasive species have been
categorised into four management objectives based on the risk assessment results: Prevention,
Eradication, Containment and Asset-based protection. Although landowners have a biosecurity
obligation for all scheduled species, identifying priorities allows a planned approach to invasive
species management, particularly for large landholders like Council.

The Plan applies the Biosecurity Act 2014 at a local level and covers:
   •   Roles and responsibilities of Council, other public agencies and private landowners
   •   Processes for reporting of invasive species and management responses
   •   Shire-wide risk assessment to establish priorities for managing invasive species
   •   Reasonable and practical measures for managing invasive species through prevention,
       eradication, containment and asset-based protection depending on the extent of infestation
       and management feasibility
   •   Methods and timing for management of invasive species

Page 3

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                        6 OCTOBER 2026


   •   Invasive species management tools and support
   •   Regulation and compliance
   •   Information capture, methods used for detection and reporting to broaden current knowledge
       of the distribution and abundance of invasive species
An Implementation Action Plan forms part of the Biosecurity Plan. The Implementation Plan has
twenty actions including research and monitoring, community capacity building, planning and on-
ground works.


Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No 1 - Environment
Focus areas include the natural environment, built environment, waterways and coasts and
conservation and heritage.
Objective 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3: by protecting biodiversity, improving waterway health and building
resilience to climate change through invasive species management.

Theme No. 2 - Liveability
Liveability encompasses housing, facilities and services, transport, health and wellbeing to enable
an inclusive, connected and vibrant community.
Objective 2.1 and 2.2: by maintaining environmental amenity and reducing risks to community
health and safety.

Theme No. 3 - Prosperity
Focus areas include economic development, local business, innovation, arts and culture, waste and
a circular economy.
Objective 3.1 and 3.2: by supporting sustainable agriculture and protecting economic assets from
biosecurity threats.

Theme No. 4 - Future
This theme is focused on our future, strengthening our relationship with First Nations peoples and to
ensure our community is prepared and resilient to change. A focus on youth, climate resilience and
adaptation, sense of place and destination management.
Objective 4.1 and 4.2: by enabling adaptive, evidence-based responses to emerging biosecurity
risks.

Theme No. 5 - Excellence
This theme focuses on customer experience, financial sustainability, innovation and technology,
levels of service, governance, our employees and volunteers, funding streams and asset
management practices.
Objective 5.1 and 5.2: by delivering Council’s statutory biosecurity responsibilities through
coordinated, efficient and accountable service delivery.




Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting Minutes, 20 February 2020
That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 11 February 2020 and
A. Note the submissions received as summarised in Attachment 1 and thank the submitters for their
input into the Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2020;
B. Adopt the Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2020 as shown in Attachment 2; and
C. Note that subject to Council adoption of the Biosecurity Plan a 2020/21 budget submission will be
made to undertake a data mining and mapping project to help build knowledge of the extent of

Page 4

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                          6 OCTOBER 2026


invasive species across the shire and assess the effectiveness of management controls in
accordance with the Biosecurity Plan.

Ordinary Meeting Minutes, 18 June 2026
11.2.13 NOOSA BIOSECURITY PLAN 2026-2031
That Council:
   A. Note the report by the Environmental Services Manager to the Ordinary Meeting dated 18
      June 2026 for the Draft Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026–2031;
   B. Approve the Draft Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026–2031 provided at Attachment 2, for the
      purposes of community engagement;
   C. Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to undertake community engagement on the Draft
      Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026–2031 in accordance with the Biosecurity Plan 2026 -
      Communications and Engagement Plan provided at Attachment 3;
      and
   D. Note that a further report will be presented to Council following completion of the community
      engagement process, including a summary of submissions and any proposed amendments
      to the Draft Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026–2031.




Finance
The Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026-2031 can largely be implemented within existing resource
allocations. However, the Implementation Action Plan identifies several actions which are currently
not being undertaken and will require additional resources to complete. These include the following
items:
   •   Develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to guide emergency response for major
       biosecurity events where the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) is called on by state
       agencies to assist with control of animal diseases (e.g. African Swine Fever, H5 Avian
       Influenza, Foot and Mouth Disease).
   •   Initiate targeted education of market sellers and small nurseries regarding the sale of invasive
       plants.
   •   Develop and promote increased community awareness of the impact of straying cats and
       dogs on native wildlife.
   •   Implement weed management along Lake Flat Rd, Johns Landing and other known sites to
       protect the threatened plant species known as Bacon Wood (Archidendron lovelliae).
   •   Investigate the reported effectiveness of bounties for toad control and regular community-
       based toad busting activities targeting removal around sensitive habitats, high value natural
       areas and wetlands.
These projects are over and above current resource allocations and are recommended for
consideration through the future budget process. The estimated cost of these projects is
approximately $30,000.



Risk & Opportunities
On occasion Council receives concerns from some members of the community regarding the use of
chemicals for managing invasive species. Council follows industry best practice and codes for
invasive species management. These standards are provided in the Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026-

Page 5

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                        6 OCTOBER 2026


31 and respondents can be supplied with this information on request.

A Risk Matrix is provided as an attachment to this report. A risk and opportunity assessment
undertaken in accordance with Council's Enterprise Risk and Opportunity Management Framework
identified that, without coordinated intervention, biosecurity risks are predominantly rated High to
Extreme. Implementation of the Plan is expected to significantly reduce these risks, with most
residual risks reducing to Medium and within Council's acceptable tolerance levels. A residual High
risk remains for the potential establishment of prohibited biosecurity matter, including Red Imported
Fire Ants, reflecting the significant consequences associated with these incursions and the ongoing
need for surveillance, preparedness and rapid response capability.


Human Rights
Human Rights Compatibility Statement
In developing this Report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making
by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a
manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with
Council’s Human Rights Policy.


Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Council resolved to undertake community consultation on the Draft Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026-
2031 to provide residents, landholders, community organisations and other stakeholders with an
opportunity to review and comment on the proposed strategic direction and management actions.

The draft Plan was made publicly available for comment from 13 July to 20 August through Council's
community YourSay platform and website. Stakeholders with an interest in biosecurity,
environmental management and natural resource management were also notified of the consultation
opportunity.

A total of five (5) submissions were received during the consultation period.

Submissions were received from community members and stakeholder organisations, including
representatives from community pest management and environmental groups.
Overall, the feedback demonstrated broad support for the objectives and strategic direction of the
draft Plan. Key matters raised through the consultation process included:
   •   recognition and management of additional locally significant invasive plant and animal
       species;
   •   opportunities to further strengthen support for community-led invasive species management
       programs;
   •   management of roaming domestic cats and associated impacts on native wildlife;
   •   enhancement of aquatic biosecurity management, monitoring and surveillance activities;
   •   opportunities to improve community education and awareness programs; and
   •   minor editorial and technical amendments to improve the accuracy and clarity of the
       document.
All submissions were reviewed and assessed by Council officers. Where appropriate, amendments
have been incorporated into the final Plan. These amendments include updates to species
prioritisation tables, inclusion of additional aquatic pest species, clarification of stakeholder

Page 6

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                                6 OCTOBER 2026


references and links to partner programs, and other minor improvements to strengthen the
document.

No submissions were received that opposed the overall intent, strategic direction or implementation
framework of the Draft Noosa Biosecurity Plan 2026-2031. The consultation process confirmed
strong support for the continued delivery of a coordinated, risk-based approach to biosecurity
management across the Noosa Shire.
A summary of submissions received and Council's responses is provided in Attachment 1.

Alongside broad community engagement, the following key stakeholders were also consulted on the
draft Plan:
     •     QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries – Biosecurity Queensland
     •     Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS)
     •     Sunshine Coast Council
     •     Gympie Regional Council
     •     SEQ Water
     •     SEQ Catchments
     •     Queensland Rail
     •     Noosa & District Landcare Group


Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:
     Office of the CEO, Mayor &                Community Services               Corporate Services
             Councillors
 x       Mayor & Councillors                 Director                        Director
         Chief Executive Officer             Community Connection            Financial Services
         Executive Officers                  Sport & Active Lifestyles       Revenue Services
 x       Community Engagement                Arts & Culture                  ICT
         Governance                          Customer Experience             Procurement

                                                                             People & Culture
         Strategy & Environment              Development & Regulation        Infrastructure Services
 x       Director                            Director                        Director
 x       Strategy & Sustainability       x   Development Assessment      x   Civil and Asset operations
         Economic Development        &                                       Infrastructure Planning, Design
                                         x   Local Laws
         Destination Management                                              and Delivery
 x       Environmental Services              Environmental Health            Waste
         Innovation & Digital Hub            Building & Plumbing             Building & Facilities
         Commercial Property                 Property / Permits              Disaster Management

                                                                             Fleet