Under state and federal legislation, the removal of native vegetation on one site due to a government-approved development may be offset by the protection and enhancement of native vegetation at another site. As this improved native vegetation is required to be protected in perpetuity, conservation covenants through Trust for Nature are one of the ways that offset sites can be secured in Victoria.

Trust for Nature acts to secure the site in an offset agreement. Once we have confirmed that a site meets our covenanting criteria, we register a deed of covenant (with an offset management plan) through our powers under the Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972.

As well as the deed of covenant, we are party to a credit trading agreement which facilitates the transfer of credits or offset units between the landholder and the proponent. We hold and distribute annually the security funds to the landholder for the management of the site once reporting and monitoring requirements have been adequately met. Our stewardship team is a point of support and advice for landholders who are protecting offset sites, and our team additionally monitors compliance requirements, checking that key targets have been met.

Trust for Nature is not involved in the regulation of offsets, or decisions regarding approvals for the removal of native vegetation. Our Biodiversity Offsets Program provides a service to secure offset sites only after an offset obligation has been imposed by a regulator. We also do not typically act as a broker or conduct offset site assessments.

Trust for Nature is committed to protecting habitat. We have extensive experience in permanently protecting private land in Victoria, and an established stewardship program which supports landholders who have conservation covenants. We believe that the environment is best served by having knowledgeable and committed organisations like Trust for Nature involved in the offsets program to ensure vegetation quality is maintained and improved.

Find more details about the program via this offset fact sheet. There are a number of steps involved in creating an offset site, which are outlined here. There are also administration and stewardship fees associated with setting up offsets and you can read more about them here.

If you would like to get involved contact the Trust for Nature offsets team on (03) 8631 5888 or email offsets@tfn.org.au and we can help you get started. Before setting up an offset site, it may be useful to contact a broker to find out about the demand for the type of vegetation on your property.

A survey plan describes the areas which are subject to each deed of covenant and offset management plan. It needs to comply with requirements of the Land Titles Office and should therefore be drafted by a qualified draftsperson or surveyor. You can access our survey plan guidelines here.

Typically an offset covenant includes a 10-year payment program for the landholder based on an estimate of management costs, you can find more information about management costs here.

An offset management plan is required to outline how the offset site is managed over the 10-year management period, as well as information about landholder commitments. This template can be used by site assessors when preparing State Native Vegetation Offset Management Plans forming part of the offset covenant. This document provides guidance and sample language for use by consultants when preparing Commonwealth Offset Management Plans.

For more information on offsets under Victoria’s guidelines for the removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation see the Victorian Government’s website or contact nativevegetation.support@delwp.vic.gov.au

For more information on offsets under the EPBC Act Environmental Offset Policy go to dcceew.gov.au/epbc-offsets, or contact: epbc.referrals@environment.gov.au or 1800 803 772.

Farmers are an essential part of protecting Victoria’s environment, and around three quarters of our conservation covenants occur in primary production landscapes. Across the last few years, Trust for Nature has been exploring how our covenant can better represent the needs of farmers through a ‘farm covenant’.

Like the conservation covenant, the farm covenant would be a voluntary on-title agreement between the Trust and landholder, but would seek to recognise, embed and protect best practice sustainable farm management practices, alongside conservation values. It may provide a range of benefits and opportunities for farmers, including protecting investments (revegetation, soil improvement, etc); supporting succession plans; retaining open space values; or helping to gain market access or premiums for produce sold off the land.

The attached report explores how a farm covenant could offer a permanent protection tool for sustainably managed farmland (chapter 5) and shares the results of an on-ground trial (chapter 6).

The report further shares findings on how different models for collective ownership can be applied to sustainably managed farmland, particularly in peri-urban landscapes which are under threat of development; and how these could help address challenges around food security and loss of productive landscapes.

The Trust has been supported to research and trial the farm covenant through a Biodiversity Innovation Grant from the Victorian Department of Environment, and an innovation grant from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation. Please contact Cecilia Riebl if you would like to learn more or be involved in a trial: ceciliar@tfn.org.au.