Landholder Resources

Biodiversity offsets

Trust for Nature’s Biodiversity Offset Program

When land has to be cleared for infrastructure projects, Trust for Nature can help secure biodiversity offsets under the Victorian and Commonwealth regulated biodiversity offset market. We have secured over 3,800 hectares of land through on-title offset agreements which must meet our covenanting criteria. We then support landholders to implement their offset management plans and then maintain their site in perpetuity, with a dedicated stewardship team that helps landholders to protect and enhance the biodiversity that is unique to their plots.

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.

Download our Offset Factsheet
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.

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.

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.

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.