Ecological Consultant Sunshine Coast - Biodiversity & Waterways Overlay Reports

Ecological Consulting on the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast stretches from Caloundra in the south to Noosa in the north, encompassing a diverse landscape of coastal lowlands, hinterland ranges, and the iconic Glass House Mountains. The region supports exceptional biodiversity, including one of Australia’s most significant coastal koala populations and extensive areas of remnant vegetation across the Blackall Range and Mary River catchment. With the Sunshine Coast experiencing sustained population growth and development pressure, ecological assessment is a routine requirement for projects across the Sunshine Coast Council local government area.

Queensland Ecologists provides specialist ecological consulting services for development projects across the Sunshine Coast. Whether you are preparing a development application, responding to an information request, or managing environmental values on a property affected by planning scheme overlays, our team can assist.

Relevant Planning Scheme Provisions

The following overlay codes and planning scheme policies are defined in the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 and are the official terminology used by Sunshine Coast Council when assessing development applications.

Overlay Codes:

• 8.2.3 Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Code - the primary environmental overlay that triggers ecological assessment, addressing biodiversity values, waterway corridors, and wetland areas
• 8.2.4 Bushfire Hazard Overlay Code - identifies bushfire-prone land requiring hazard assessment and management planning
• 8.2.12 Scenic Amenity Overlay Code - applies to areas with identified scenic values, which may intersect with ecological features
• 8.2.13 Water Resource Catchments Overlay Code - applies to land within water supply catchments, where development may affect water quality and ecological values

Planning Scheme Policies:

• SC6.6 - Planning Scheme Policy for the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Code
• SC6.7 - Planning Scheme Policy for the Bushfire Hazard Overlay Code
• SC6.20 - Planning Scheme Policy for Biodiversity Offsets
• SC6.21 - Planning Scheme Policy for Other Information Local Government May Require

The current version of the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 can be viewed on the Sunshine Coast Council website.

Common Ecological Triggers on the Sunshine Coast

An ecological assessment is typically required for development on the Sunshine Coast when:

• The site is mapped under the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay
• The development involves clearing or disturbance of native vegetation, including vegetation within waterway or wetland buffer areas
• The property supports habitat for protected species, including koala habitat, glossy black-cockatoo feeding habitat, or other species of conservation significance
• The site is within the Water Resource Catchments Overlay and development may affect ecological values within the catchment
• The development triggers the requirements of SC6.6 (Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands) or SC6.21 (Other Information Local Government May Require)
• Council issues an information request asking for ecological information
• A compliance notice is issued relating to unauthorised vegetation clearing or environmental harm

Common Ecological Reporting Needs in Sunshine Coast

• Ecological Assessment Reports - site-based assessments addressing the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Code, including vegetation mapping, fauna habitat, and impact analysis
• Flora and Vegetation Surveys - detailed botanical surveys, regional ecosystem verification, and vegetation condition assessment
• Fauna Surveys - general and targeted fauna surveys, habitat assessments, and species inventories
• Targeted Threatened Species Surveys - survey programs for listed species including koalas, glossy black-cockatoos, and threatened plants
• Koala Habitat Assessments - assessment of koala habitat values, particularly for the Sunshine Coast’s significant coastal koala population
• Waterway and Wetland Assessments - assessments of waterway corridors, wetland areas, and riparian buffers
• Vegetation Clearing Assessments - assessment of clearing extent and compliance with vegetation management requirements
• Bushfire Management Plans and BAL Assessments - bushfire hazard assessment for properties within the Bushfire Hazard Overlay
• Vegetation Management Plans - management plans for retained and rehabilitated vegetation areas
• Environmental Management Plans - construction-phase and operational environmental management plans
• Biodiversity Offset Strategies - offset calculations and delivery plans addressing SC6.20 requirements

Common Project Contexts Where Ecological Advice May Be Needed

The following types of development may require ecological assessment on the Sunshine Coast, depending on the property and proposed works:

• Residential subdivision - particularly in growth areas such as Caloundra South, Palmview, and Beerwah where lots adjoin remnant vegetation or waterway corridors
• Hinterland development - dwelling construction, rural subdivision, and land use changes in the Blackall Range, Maleny, Montville, and Glass House Mountains areas
• Coastal development - projects along the coastal strip that may affect dune vegetation, wetland buffers, or coastal habitat
• Multi-unit and mixed-use development - where sites are affected by environmental overlays or contain significant vegetation
• Rural and agricultural development - clearing for agricultural use, farm infrastructure, or access roads in areas with regulated vegetation
• Tourism and recreation development - eco-tourism, camping, and recreation facilities in environmentally sensitive locations

Council Information Requests and Compliance Support

If Sunshine Coast Council has issued an information request (IR) asking for ecological information in relation to your development application, we can prepare the required reports and advice to respond. Information requests on the Sunshine Coast commonly reference SC6.6 and SC6.21 and ask for vegetation surveys, fauna habitat assessments, waterway buffer analysis, and proposed mitigation or offset measures.

We also assist property owners and developers who have received a compliance notice or show cause notice relating to unauthorised vegetation clearing or environmental harm. Our team prepares the ecological assessments and remediation plans needed to respond to compliance actions and negotiate outcomes with council.

If you have received an IR or compliance notice, contact us with a copy of the notice so we can advise on the scope and timing of the response required.

State and Commonwealth Triggers

Development on the Sunshine Coast may trigger assessment under state and Commonwealth legislation in addition to local council overlays.

• Matters of State Environmental Significance (MSES) - the Sunshine Coast contains extensive MSES values, including regulated vegetation, koala habitat, and waterway and wetland areas. We prepare MSES assessments to address state requirements
• State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP) and State Assessment Referral Agency (SARA) - development triggering SDAP modules for native vegetation clearing or waterway impacts is assessed by the state. We prepare reports addressing both local and state assessment frameworks
• EPBC Act (Commonwealth) - the Sunshine Coast supports numerous matters of national environmental significance, including listed threatened species (koala, giant barred frog, Richmond birdwing butterfly), migratory species, and listed ecological communities. Development with potential significant impacts requires EPBC Act referral
• Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld) - clearing of regulated vegetation requires assessment under the VMA. We assist with vegetation clearing assessments, PMAVs, and regional ecosystem verification

Key Environmental Features of the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast supports a wide range of ecological values:

• Koala populations - the Sunshine Coast supports one of Australia’s most significant coastal koala populations, with key habitat areas from Caloundra to Noosa and across the hinterland
• Blackall Range rainforests - the ranges behind Maleny and Montville support significant remnant rainforest and wet sclerophyll communities
• Glass House Mountains - the volcanic peaks and surrounding vegetation support unique ecological communities and threatened species
• Mary River catchment - the upper Mary River and its tributaries support significant aquatic biodiversity, including the endangered Mary River cod and Mary River turtle
• Coastal wetlands and dune systems - Pumicestone Passage, the Maroochy River estuary, and coastal dune systems support mangrove, saltmarsh, and migratory shorebird habitat
• Threatened species - records include the koala, glossy black-cockatoo, giant barred frog, Richmond birdwing butterfly, and numerous threatened plant species

Reports and Compliance Documents We Prepare on the Sunshine Coast

Our full range of ecological services available for Sunshine Coast projects includes:

• Ecological Assessment Reports
• Flora and Vegetation Surveys
• Fauna Surveys
• Targeted Threatened Species Surveys
• Koala Habitat Assessments
• Koala Management Plans
• Waterway and Wetland Assessments
• Vegetation Clearing Assessments
• Regional Ecosystem Verification
• Property Maps of Assessable Vegetation (PMAV)
• Protected Plant Flora Surveys
• Bushfire Management Plans and BAL Assessments
• Vegetation Management Plans
• Environmental Management Plans
• Weed and Pest Management Plans
• Fire Ant Management Plans
• Biodiversity Offset Strategies
• Significant Residual Impact Assessments
• Habitat Quality Assessments
• MSES Assessments
• EPBC Act Referrals and Assessments
• Species Management Programs (SMP)
• Due Diligence Assessments
• Ecological Constraints Analysis
• Environmental Auditing and Compliance
• Ecosystem Restoration and Rehabilitation Plans

Frequently Asked Questions - Sunshine Coast

What triggers an ecological assessment on the Sunshine Coast?

The primary trigger is the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay (8.2.3) in the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014. If your property is mapped under this overlay, an ecological assessment will likely be required for any development application. Additional triggers include state vegetation management requirements and the presence of protected species. Check the planning scheme overlay maps or contact us for advice.

What are SC6.6 and SC6.21?

SC6.6 is the Planning Scheme Policy for the Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands Overlay Code. It provides detailed guidance on the information and assessment methods expected when responding to the overlay code. SC6.21 is the Planning Scheme Policy for Other Information Local Government May Require, which council may invoke to request additional ecological information. Both policies are referenced in the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014.

Do I need a koala assessment for my Sunshine Coast property?

If your property contains koala habitat trees or is within a mapped koala habitat area, a koala habitat assessment may be required. The Sunshine Coast supports a significant koala population and council and state agencies take koala habitat impacts seriously. Contact us for site-specific advice.

Council has sent an information request asking for ecological reports - what do I do?

Send us a copy of the information request along with your development application plans. We will review the IR and advise on the specific reports needed, timeframe, and costs. We regularly prepare responses to Sunshine Coast Council information requests. Request a quote here.

I have received a compliance notice about vegetation clearing - can you help?

Yes. We prepare ecological assessments, remediation plans, and offset calculations to support responses to compliance and enforcement actions. Contact us as soon as possible with a copy of the notice so we can advise on the response required.

This page is general information only and does not constitute legal, planning, or environmental advice. Development requirements vary by site and should be confirmed with Sunshine Coast Council or a qualified planning consultant. Planning scheme references last checked: June 2026. Official terminology sourced from the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014.