Do you know that around one third of the 48 regional and rural councils in Victoria offer some form of rate rebate or concession to covenantors? Councils take differing approaches to this issue so it is worthwhile knowing the approach of your local council.

These rebates can make a difference to landowners’ ability to take care of their land as they recognise the cost it takes to steward land.

To find out if your council offers a rate rebate, you can use this interactive map produced by Land Covenantors Victoria.

For example, the City of Greater Bendigo, Macedon Ranges Shire, Mount Alexander Shire and Buloke Shire all offer a full rate rebate to acknowledge and reward conservation efforts of private landholders. Shires like Hepburn, Geelong, and Mornington offer a partial percentage rebate, while others such as Cardinia, Mansfield and Greater Shepparton offer a per hectare rebate (between $20-$50 up to a specified capped amount). Last but not least, we are always pleased when local councils increase the support they offer councils – for example recently the South Gippsland Shire Council increased its annual incentive payments to $500 for properties over 10ha.

Native habitat on private land in Victoria continues to be lost but the extinction trend can be reversed by protecting key remnants, building ecosystem resilience and increasing connectivity of habitat. The protection offered by conservation covenants make a vital contribution to this process and rates concessions or exemptions are recognition of this contribution by generous landowners.

If you would like to know more about rates rebates or concessions in your shire, check your council website or contact our Policy Advisor Cecilia Riebl (Monday to Wednesday) at ceciliar@tfn.org.au.