Strategic Offset Policy and Biodiversity Offset Guidelines · Report

ORDINARY MEETING                                                                  17 SEPTEMBER 2026


case-by-case basis, resulting in an ad hoc approach to assessment, negotiation and implementation.
While this approach has enabled Council to respond to individual proposals, it does not provide clear
or transparent guidance on how offsets should align with Council's broader environmental objectives,
nor does it ensure consistent outcomes for the community.

The proposed Framework establishes a transparent and consistent approach to offset management
across the organisation. It provides clear principles for decision-making, defines governance and
accountability arrangements, and ensures biodiversity offsets contribute to broader strategic
outcomes, including Council's commitment to achieving no net loss of ecosystem values and
improving ecological resilience across the Shire.

There is significant benefit of getting this policy in place promptly as there are several current projects
and proposed offsets and requests from 3rd party agencies (e.g. Beckmans Road Offsets with the
Department of Transport and Main Roads), to use Council sites for offsets. We need a clear
framework and policy for these.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED INCLUSIONS
The Strategic Offsets Policy establishes overarching principles to guide all offset activities. Central
to this is the application of the mitigation hierarchy, ensuring that impacts are first avoided, then
minimised, and only offset as a last resort. The policy also embeds key concepts such as
additionality, permanence and a requirement to achieve net gain outcomes, ensuring that offsets
contribute to measurable improvements in biodiversity rather than simply compensating for loss.

The Biodiversity Offset Guideline provides the operational framework for implementing the policy. It
outlines when offsets are required, how they are assessed, and the mechanisms through which they
can be delivered, including Council-led offsets and those undertaken in partnership with third parties.
It further establishes requirements for offset delivery plans, financial arrangements, monitoring and
reporting.

The framework applies broadly to impacts on Matters of National and State Environmental
Significance, ensuring alignment with Commonwealth and State legislation while strengthening
Council’s approach to local environmental values.

Collectively, the policy and guideline promote a shift from ad hoc offset management to a
coordinated, programmatic approach that prioritises long-term ecological outcomes, local delivery
where possible, and integration with broader conservation strategies.


POTENTIAL COMMUNITY IMPACTS / BENEFITS
The Framework has been developed to ensure that Offsets are delivered in a strategic, coordinated
and ecologically effective way within Noosa Shire.

The proposed Biodiversity Offsets Framework is expected to have a generally positive impact on the
Noosa community by ensuring biodiversity offset delivery is directed toward environmental outcomes
within the Shire wherever practicable. This approach supports the protection and enhancement of
local biodiversity values, contributes to the achievement of Council's environmental objectives, and
helps maintain the natural assets that underpin Noosa's lifestyle, visitor economy and community
wellbeing.

A key community benefit is the retention of offset funding within the local government area during
the time when the impact is actually made. Where offsets are delivered locally, investment can
support habitat restoration, revegetation works, conservation land management, ecological
monitoring and other environmental improvement projects. This in turn will provide opportunities for
local employment and support environmental contractors, consultants and community conservation
initiatives.