Strategic Offset Policy and Biodiversity Offset Guidelines · Attachment 1 - Strategic Offsets Policy - (Biodiversity) Final

preserved, and managed in a manner that is nature positive, low carbon and climate resilient
consistent with the Corporate Plan.


SCOPE
Any proposal for the assessment, creation, obtainment, receipt and delivery of biodiversity
offsets must satisfy this policy.
This policy applies to:
•   Offsets delivered by Council to offset negative biodiversity impacts resulting from
    Council’s operations and capital projects.
•   Offsets delivered by Council on behalf of an external entity as a condition of:
    Commonwealth or State approvals; as part of approved development under The Noosa
    Plan 2020; as part of voluntary biodiversity offset partnership projects; or, as a negotiated
    financial agreement.
To avoid duplication of offset requirements, this policy does not remove or replace the need
for complying with State or Federal legislative offset requirements for Matters of State
Environmental Significance (MSES) and Matters of National Environmental Significance
(MNES) impacts.

REVIEW
This policy will be reviewed every four years, or as required. This policy is intended to be
updated to include Carbon Offsets when required.
The Noosa Corporate Plan 2023-2028 and Noosa’s Sustainability Principles provide the
strategic direction to ensure ‘Noosa’s environment is protected, preserved, and managed in a
manner that is nature positive, low carbon and climate resilient and respects our traditional
owners’ spiritual and cultural connection to Country’. In addition to the driving environmental
objectives the Corporate Plan this policy will also support ‘housing, facilities and services,
transport, health and wellbeing to enable an inclusive, connected and vibrant community’ as
this policy is fundamental to achieving acceptable outcomes when site impacts are
unavoidable.
The Noosa Environment Strategy provides the framework for implementing the Corporate
Plan objectives and includes targets and goals for biodiversity benefits, sustainable living and
improving ecosystem resilience to climate change. It prioritises ‘net gain’ in biodiversity
outcomes and aims for measurable improvements for species and ecosystems over time.
Noosa’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship supports the health,
wellbeing, and prosperity of its community and economy. Conservation efforts focus on
avoiding environmental impacts, restoring habitats, reducing threats, and improving ecological
connectivity and climate resilience. Where impacts are unavoidable, they are offset through
habitat restoration or enhancement to achieve a net gain in ecosystem values.
Poorly managed offsets can fail to deliver genuine biodiversity outcomes. Global concerns
have highlighted the need for stronger safeguards and integrity in offsetting practices.
Stringent controls and environmental safeguards are required to ensure that offsets deliver on
biodiversity outcomes.
To be effective, offsets must be well-designed, science-based, and managed to best-practice
standards. This Strategic Offset Policy sets out the principles to ensure offsets contribute
meaningfully to Council’s conservation goals.




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Noosa Council Offsets Strategic Policy 2026