Shades of Green
Conservation Options for your Land

If you wish to protect the unique landscape, plants and wildlife on your land, there are numerous conservation options to suit your individual needs. Photo: Steve Gale

A little less than two-thirds of Australian land is privately owned.

If you are lucky enough to own a piece of Australian bush on your property and wish to conserve it, there is a range of options to choose from.

From simple management practices for conservation (see our gardening section) to adding legally binding protection to the title of your land there are suitable solutions to achieve the best outcome.

Landholder Esme Woods at her Galston property, which is protected by a conservation agreement. Photo: DEC

A Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) or Conservation Covenant is an agreement between a land owner and a Covenant Scheme Provider (this may be a covenant organisation, a local council or a government agency) for the conservation of biodiversity and natural features on privately owned land. The agreement provides permanent protection of the land and is voluntary.

The owner continues to own, use and live on the land while the natural values are conserved by the landholder in partnership with the organisation. Future owners are required to continue conservation management.

The Government may provide financial and technical support to help with management of the land for conservation. Landholders who enter into VCAs may also be eligible for rate relief and tax deductions. The property title remains with the landholder and VCA’s are binding on and enforceable by and against, successors in title.

Conservation Covenants have different names in different states. In NSW they are called Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA). For more information download the VCA info brochure.

Wildlife Refuges
Wildlife refuges are also voluntary and are statutory commitments by land holders to manage land for conservation of wildlife and habitat including natural and modified areas.

A Wildlife Refuge declaration is noted on the title for the land. It can be terminated at the request of the land holder, however this is rare with only five requests in four years.

For more information download the national parks brochure on Wildlife Refuges

Land for Wildlife

Selling his land for conservation was the ideal solution for farmer Jeff O'Keefe. The Foundation purchased his wilderness property Green Gully following a public appeal to raise the funds. Photo: Sydney Morning Herald

Land for Wildlife is a national program to support land owners in their efforts to preserve wildlife and habitat on their land.

Once landowners have registered their property they get access to technical advice and information on wildlife and habitat conservation and advice on grants that are available to participants. In New South Wales, the program is facilitated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and is implemented by community groups or local government.

Land for Wildlife is free to join and not legally binding.

Donating it can be the ideal solution for you if

• You do not use the land and wish for it to be preserved
• You are looking for ways to reduce tax burdens
• You do not wish to bequeath the land to your heirs or
• You would like to be released from the responsibility of managing the land

The Foundation can offer attractive tax benefits for land donations and will guide you through the donation process.

Bequests
If you want to own and control your land during your lifetime, but assure its protection after your death, you can bequeath it in your will.

There are tax incentives for this option too. Contact the Foundation’s Executive Officer Leonie Gale for further information.

Private Protected Areas
Incorporated community groups and local governments can support private land conservation through the Natural Heritage Trust National Reserve System Program. The program provides up to two thirds of the purchase price to assist voluntary land purchase. The new owners must attach permanent protection to the land title (see Voluntary Conservation Agreements) and will be responsible for management and costs.

For more information on these options download the brochure “Gifts that keep on Giving”, of the Department of Environment and Heritage or contact the Foundation for a copy.

Top of page