New South Wales Government

Department of

Environment and Climate Change

 

February 2006

National parks and reserves in New South Wales comprise more than eight per cent of the state's total land area.

This means a large proportion of native wildlife and biodiversity, and places of cultural heritage significance, is on private and other public lands.

Industry landholders who manage land primarily for uses such as mining, utilities or agricultural production can play an important role in protecting and conserving Australia's unique natural and cultural heritage as part of managing a sustainable business.

The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) forms long term partnerships with landholders through voluntary establishment of conservation agreements and wildlife refuges under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

The DECC Conservation Partners Program encourages and assists these landholders to protect and conserve native vegetation, wildlife habitat, geological features, Aboriginal cultural sites and places of cultural significance on their land.

What sort of land

Land which has native vegetation, wildlife habitats or cultural heritage with linkages to other natural areas is ideal for protection under these commitments.

Such land can be all or part of a larger property and could include:

• Buffer areas of bushland which are required in order to protect neighbouring properties from dust, noise and other effects of activities
• Areas of previous activity which have been restored to a standard where habitat and wildlife corridors are provided
• Areas where activities such as underground mining, or installation of powerlines allow some of the conservation values found on the land to be retained.

Benefits for industry

Industries are increasingly dependent on biodiversity to ensure a sustainable future. Biodiversity conservation is essential for healthy, functioning ecosystems which provide valuable products and services for industry.

Forming voluntary conservation partnerships reflect growing interest and commitment in managing sustainable industries. Increasingly, businesses seek to demonstrate corporate environmental, social and economic responsibility.

The formal nature of commitments through conservation agreements and wildlife refuges provide a tangible and straightforward way to report against identified biodiversity, and flora and fauna management performance indicators used in:

• Triple Bottom Line reporting
• Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
• ISO1400 -International Standards for Environmental Management
• Ecolabelling or Certification
• Investor indices such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index or the Australian SAM Sustainability Index (AuSSI).

The commitment of land for conservation provides opportunities to:

• implement a 'beyond compliance' approach to environmental management
• protect and conserve land which could be considered for future 'offsets'
• demonstrate environmental stewardship which can contribute to product identity, market access or sales
• provide opportunities for employees and communities to be involved in conservation works.

Community acceptance of an industry in the local area is vital. Credibility is increased by formal commitments for long term outcomes. Protecting land with high conservation values for the benefit of current and future generations provides a tangible way of demonstrating commitment to the community.

Conservation agreements

This option is most suitable for those who have land of high conservation value and wish to make a formal commitment which continues even after the property is passed to the next owner. Values protected can include native vegetation, wildlife habitat, geological features, Aboriginal cultural heritage or historic heritage

The conservation agreement is registered on the land title and transfers to subsequent owners when the land is sold. Land under an in-perpetuity conservation agreement is exempt from local Council rates, and other tax concessions may apply. Find out more about conservation agreements.

Wildlife refuges

This option is most suitable for those who want to formally commit their land for the protection and conservation of wildlife and their habitat. Such habitat may contain native vegetation, restored native vegetation or be modified or artificial habitats, such as woodlots and dams.

A wildlife refuge may be noted on the land title, and its status remains even after the property is passed to the next owner. Landowners can seek to make changes to the status of the refuge at any time. Find out more about wildlife refuges.

The process

Landholders can contact the Conservation Partners Program Coordinator to obtain information and an application form. Applications are assessed to determine the most suitable options which meet the needs of landholders and conservation priorities.

Where approval is given for a conservation agreement to go ahead, the agreement between the landowner and the Minister for the Environment is developed. The area of land to be covered by the agreement and its conservation values are described. The permitted uses and management actions which will protect the described values of the area are written into the agreement. Once all parties are satisfied with the terms of the agreement, the landowner and the Minister sign the agreement.

Where the land is to be proclaimed as a wildlife refuge, the land uses within the property are described and management objectives developed which include protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat. The proclamation notice for the land to become a wildlife refuge is signed by the Minister and the Governor of NSW and published in the Government Gazette.

Support for landholders

The Department of Environment and Climate Change supports landholders in the Conservation Partners Program by providing:

• assistance with applications to establish a Conservation Agreement or a Wildlife Refuge
• assistance with planning and monitoring
• advice and some assistance on management issues
• the 'Bush Matters' newsletter twice a year
• management notes from time to time
• assistance with on-ground works
• networking and promotional opportunities
• identification signs for the conservation area or wildlife refuge.

Print this information

• Download this page as a printable brochure (PDF - 212KB)

More information

• Find out more about the Conservation Partners Program, including Conservation Agreements and Wildlife Refuges
• Contact the Conservation Partners Program Coordinator.