Sunshine Coast, QLD
Regional Council in Queensland
Australia
Sunshine Coast, QLD achieves environmental and economic savings with smart irrigation system
The council installed 32 automated irrigation units in parks and community spaces. Water sensors monitor precipitation and weather forecasts in determining eco-friendly uses of sprinklers. The system includes flow meters for quick identification of leaks and other maintenance issues. Sunshine Coasts anticipates the installation of at least 38 more units by 2030, thus expanding the system's impacts on green spaces.
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Australia
Sunshine Coast, QLD deploys drones and artificial intelligence for invasive tree management
An alternative treatment trial seeks the removal of broad-leaf pepper trees from an area between Wurtulla and Point Cartwright. Drone flight footage of the area is fed into an AI platform trained by Queensland University of Technology researchers. Multispectral sensors identify unexploded ordnance dating to World War II military training in the trial zone. Sunshine Coast will evaluate if this mapping technique can be applied to other areas as part of its Invasive Weeds Project.
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Australia
Sunshine Coast, QLD seeks operators for e-scooter and e-bike pilot in high-traffic towns
Sunshine Coast opened a permit process for an 18-month micro-mobility pilot in Maroochydore and Mooloolaba. Expressions of Interest must identify dockless parking hubs on council-owned lots and virtual parking areas on public footpaths. Council officials will review each application based on six criteria including safety, sustainability, and quality of equipment. The goal of this pilot is to select two operators as exclusive micro-mobility providers in commercial and tourist centers.
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Australia
Sunshine Coast, QLD produces BatPod podcast series for community education about flying foxes
BatPod's narrator - a council conservation officer- talks listeners aged 10 to 15 through situations involving flying fox habitats. Each episode presents multiple choices for the Junior Conservation Officer to advance the story. Listeners must work within their budget of Batty Bucks when making decisions. The audience learns how Sunshine Coast balances flying fox conservation with the needs and concerns of community members.
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Australia
Sunshine Coast, QLD Community Co-Lab pilot mobilizes resources for Glass House Mountains placemaking
Council officials and the University of the Sunshine Coast are using a co-design model for village improvements. Residents offer their suggestions through an online survey and a community presentation about the project's goals. A multi-disciplinary team of 20 students conducts fieldwork to shape proposals based on local conditions. Sunshine Coast will hold community workshops for more detailed discussions about inclusivity and sustainability design for the village.
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Australia
Sunshine Coast, QLD deploys ParkSmart hybrid vehicle for advanced parking enforcement pilot
The ParkSmart pilot began with a month-long parking education campaign on council channels. A hybrid sedan equipped with cameras and GPS equipment patrols the streets of Birtinya, Caloundra, and Eumundi. The vehicle's plate recognition system triggers citations for illegal parking without labor-intensive manual checks. Council officials hope for improved turnover in high-traffic areas during the three-year trial.
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Australia
Sunshine Coast, QLD improves mobility data for all residents with inclusive mapping project
Four volunteers received mapping equipment for their wheelchairs during the trial period. Volunteer pilots record their journeys between Maroochydore and Mooloolaba. Data on transit stops, venue entrances, and other accessibility features are fed into the Briometrix platform. Interactive maps from Briometrix apply color codes to local streets ranging from green for easy mobility to black for caution. Sunshine Coast will update mobility maps based on resident feedback.
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Australia