Strategic Offset Policy and Biodiversity Offset Guidelines · Report

ORDINARY MEETING                                                                17 SEPTEMBER 2026



The framework applies to biodiversity offset requirements arising under existing Commonwealth and
State legislation where a project results in a significant residual impact on biodiversity values. The
specific triggers, exemptions and assessment thresholds are established through the relevant
legislative frameworks and associated policies and are therefore not reproduced in detail within this
report.

These legislative requirements principally relate to impacts on Matters of National Environmental
Significance (MNES) protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999 and Matters of State Environmental Significance (MSES) protected under Queensland
legislation, including the Environmental Offsets Act 2014, Nature Conservation Act 1992 and
associated regulatory frameworks.

The framework does not currently apply to Matters of Local Environmental Significance (MLES).
While these values are recognised through Council's planning framework and are important
contributors to the environmental health and ecological connectivity of the Shire, there is currently
no legislative requirement for Council to offset impacts to these values.

The draft policy and guideline do, however, recognise the potential future application of voluntary
offsetting for some locally significant biodiversity impacts. This would enable Council to consider a
broader "no net loss" approach for environmental values that are not currently captured by State or
Commonwealth offset legislation. Examples may include vegetation clearing associated with road
upgrades, infrastructure projects within existing corridors, or impacts to locally significant vegetation
communities and habitat values that do not trigger legislative offset requirements. Any future
expansion of the policy to include voluntary offsetting of MLES would be subject to further Council
consideration, including assessment of financial and operational implications.



Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No 1 - Environment
Objective 1.1 - Maintain and improve water quality and the health of waterways, wetlands, and
catchments.
Objective 1.5 - Deliver expanded vegetation networks, rehabilitation and habitat across the Shire
and advocate to the state and federal governments to assist funding environmental action.
Objective 1.6 - Partner with community to improve the health and water quality management of
Noosa and Mary Rivers and coastal areas through whole of catchment management to protect
environmental values while enabling sustainable public access, recreation, and commercial use.
Objective 1.7 - Deliver and partner with State and Federal Governments to protect threatened and
vulnerable species identified in the Environment Strategy

Key Actions:
• Delivery of annual Capital Infrastructure Program.

Performance Measure:
• There is no net loss of ecosystem values across the shire and the condition of Council’s priority
bushland reserves are enhanced.




Previous Council Consideration
Planning & Environment Committee Meeting Minutes 6 September 2022
TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS ENVIRONMENTAL OFFSETS
Committee Recommendation
Moved: Cr Stockwell