2018-09-11 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             11 SEPTEMBER 2018


Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) program
Private landholders may voluntarily elect to place a covenant or Nature Refuge over their
property to ensure vegetation and habitat is protected in perpetuity on title. The VCA incentives
program was initiated by Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) which provided a rate contribution
and/or funding to deliver an Environment Management Plan (EMP). The VCA incentives
agreement terminates on property transfer. Council is contractually bound to honour VCAs set up
under SCC.
A Private Landholder Conservation Partnerships Programs Guideline (Attachment 3) has been
developed for new VCA’s. The incentives available differ from the original SCC VCA program:
   A rate contribution is no longer offered
   Support is provided depending on budget and/or resources as follows;
     o     Nature Refuge or covenant only, or
     o     Nature Refuge or covenant with incentives
   Incentives are tied to the delivery of an Environment Management Plan (EMP)
   Incentives are provided over a maximum term of 5 years only
Capping incentives to 5 years only will allow funds to be redirected to other eligible landholders
after the delivery of the EMP is complete.
The identified land parcels of interest for acquisition could also qualify for the VCA program which
may be a good outcome if either these parcels do not come up for sale or Council does not have
adequate levy funds in reserves to acquire. In addition, landholders who have properties in
Biodiversity Corridors (see Map 2) may be eligible for VCA or LFW and can be assessed on a
case-by-case basis by the Environment Levy Working Group (ELWG).
Land for Wildlife (LfW) Program
The LfW Program offers an alternative program for private landholders who want to be part of a
private land conservation network but may not qualify for the VCA program or may not want
stringent statutory protection over their land. LfW offers a lower level of protection than Nature
Refuge or a covenant. 90% of existing LfW properties are also afforded protection over part of
the property under the Noosa Plan Biodiversity and Riparian Overlay.
The Private Landholder Conservation Partnerships Guideline also offers two levels of support for
LfW depending on budget:
   Level 1: Base level of support including a property assessment, LfW sign and a quarterly
     newsletter
   Level 2: As above but also property re-visits, free trees, nest boxes, workshops, open days
     or other initiatives consistent with the intent of the LfW program
Eligibility for Land for Wildlife (LfW) is less stringent than the VCA program and applications are
assessed on a case-by-case basis. Eligible properties may also occur outside of mapped
Biodiversity Corridors (see Map 2).
3.   Decision support tool and levels of protection
Figure 1 provides guidance on determining the most preferred and appropriate conservation
program for landholders depending on their location and priority.




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