Environment

Sunshine Coast Council has allocated more than $67,000 for investigations and design work at Stumers Creek, setting up a review of vehicle, pedestrian and emergency access at one of Coolum Beach's busiest recreation spots.

Seqwater says the Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project has moved into the foundations stage for the new dam wall as the state begins work to identify another South-East Queensland dam site.

New beach and park access rules for dogs took effect on 3 July, with council warning fines can apply when dogs are off-leash in restricted areas or not under effective control.

A $2.4 million Queensland shark research project is now part of the beach-safety conversation for the Sunshine Coast, with state-backed scientists examining populations and behaviour.

A University of the Sunshine Coast-led study has identified biodegradable spider venom peptides that killed varroa mites without harming honeybees in laboratory testing.

A rare deep-sea shark found near Stumers Creek at Coolum is being treated as a significant scientific record and is believed to be the first known Queensland sighting of the species.

The 2026 Sunshine Coast Biosphere Awards have named Fien Van den Steen as Biosphere Ambassador and Waste Free Systems as Biosphere Business Leader, spotlighting practical sustainability work across the region.

Noosa households will receive larger 360-litre recycling bins after Noosa Council secured $1.4 million in state government funding, aiming to divert almost 1000 extra tonnes from landfill each year.

Noosa's next round of environment and climate grants will send more than $85,000 into community-led projects ranging from turtle nest protection to river clean-ups and youth climate action.

About 6500 native plants have been established on Bribie Island as part of a wider emergency works package designed to protect the Pumicestone Passage coastline from erosion.

A food scraps trial at a Buderim retirement community is testing how organics collection can work in multi-unit living, with implications for the wider Sunshine Coast waste system.

A formal dark sky designation across parts of the Sunshine Coast hinterland gives long-running lighting and habitat campaigns a new international anchor.

Coastal growth is also an environmental story. Here are the questions our Environment desk will be returning to throughout the year.

Climate resilience is no longer a fringe topic. It now shapes insurance, planning, infrastructure and the way households think about the future.