2015-04-28 Planning and Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    28 APRIL 2015


6     LAND FOR WILDLIFE            AND VOLUNTARY           CONSERVATION          AGREEMENT
      PROGRAMMES
Author            Environment Officer, Conor Neville
                  Planning & Infrastructure Department

Index             ECM/Subject/ 21.35 - Voluntary Conservation Agreements and
                  Covenants

Attachments       Nil



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.


RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Environment Officer to the Planning & Organisation
Committee Meeting dated 28 April 2015 regarding the Land for Wildlife and the Voluntary
Conservation Agreement Programmes.


REPORT
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the protection of native
vegetation and wildlife habitat on private land through the Land for Wildlife Programme and
the Voluntary Conservation Agreement Programme.
Background
The Land for Wildlife (LFW) Programme was initiated in Victoria in 1981 to promote the co-
existence of native wildlife on agricultural lands. In this programme the landholder voluntarily
offers a portion of their property to be included as retained habitat for native fauna habitat.
The programme in South East Queensland started in 1998 and now includes upwards of
3900 properties. In Noosa there are 304 participating properties, representing 2,512
hectares of native vegetation being managed for the benefit of native wildlife.
The Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) Programme provides incentives for
landholders to voluntarily secure a portion of their property for conservation purposes. The
securing of the land for conservation purposes is done by way of covenant enacted under
the Land Title Act 1994. The covenant is legally binding and provides enduring protection of
the nominated portion of the lot and is recorded on the survey plan. Any future owners of the
lot are required to manage the land in accordance with the terms of the covenant. In the
Noosa Shire there are 19 properties in the Voluntary Conservation Agreement Program
protecting upwards of 371 hectares of land in perpetuity for conservation purposes.
Both programs actively promote the management of predominantly rural lands for native
wildlife habitat. Most landholders who have Voluntary Conservation Agreements were
initially Land for Wildlife members which demonstrates that this is a key mechanism
increasing the numbers of Voluntary Conservation Agreements.




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