Strategic Offset Policy and Biodiversity Offset Guidelines · Report

ORDINARY MEETING                                                                 17 SEPTEMBER 2026


Seconded: Cr Stewart
That Council note the report by the Acting Principal Environment Officer to the Planning &
Environment Committee Meeting dated 6 September 2022 and request the Chief Executive Officer:
A. Continue negotiations with Transport and Main Roads Department about opportunities for use of
suitable land as environmental offset receiving sites and update Council on the outcomes; and
B. Bring forward a report on Council’s Environment Offset Policy and associated guideline, after
initial consultation has concluded.
Carried unanimously.


Finance
Implementation of the framework requires the allocation and management of resources to support
offset delivery over the full lifecycle of projects. This includes planning, establishment, monitoring,
maintenance and long-term management costs. Much of this is incorporated into existing roles.

For Council projects, these costs are incorporated into project budgets at the design stage. For third-
party projects, financial contributions will be secured through agreements and quarantined to ensure
funds are available to deliver the required conservation outcomes.

The costs required for biodiversity offsetting are already required to be included in council project
budgets and no additional resource will be required with the adoption of this policy.

The framework also enables the collection of land-use compensation payments from third parties
where there is a costs associated with Council land being used as an offset receiving site, this cost
is paid by the third party, this contribution can further support future land acquisition and conservation
initiatives.

Inclusion of Additional Council Biodiversity Offsetting
An initial request sought to consider including relevant Council projects involving vegetation clearing,
that are currently exempt from State or Commonwealth legislation, in the Strategic Offsets Policy
and Guideline.
The matter was discussed at the Executive Leadership Team meeting on 17th June 2026, where it
was recommended that inclusion be deferred until the associated costs and implications are better
understood. As no register of these impacts currently exists, the potential cost to Council remains
uncertain.


Risk & Opportunities
The adoption of the Biodiversity Offsets Framework presents a balanced risk profile. On one hand,
it significantly reduces legal, financial and reputational risks by providing a transparent, consistent
and well-governed approach to offsetting. On the other hand, there remain some inherent risks
associated with biodiversity offsets, particularly the potential for delayed ecological outcomes and
the possibility that offsets may not fully replicate impacted values.
These risks are mitigated through strong governance mechanisms, including rigorous planning
requirements, long-term monitoring, adaptive management and the use of advanced offsets to
reduce time lags between impact and ecological benefit. Financial risks are further reduced through
secured and quarantined funding arrangements.
There is also some reputational risk associated with community perceptions of offsetting; however,
this is addressed through the framework’s emphasis on transparency, accountability and a clear
commitment to achieving a net gain in biodiversity outcomes.

The risk assessment below indicates residual risk for the adoption of the Biodiversity Offsets
Framework: