Native vegetation rates rebate

Native vegetation rates rebate

If you are a landowner who voluntarily protects native vegetation of significant conservation value, you will receive a rates rebate.

Remnant native vegetation

The patches of native vegetation (known as remnants) that have not been cleared over the 200 years of European settlement can be highly significant from a biodiversity conservation perspective.

In addition, remnant vegetation serves many other important functions. This includes:

  • animal habitat
  • carbon storage
  • hydrological regulation
  • water and air purification
  • soil stabilisation.

Remnant vegetation can also provide amenity value.

The majority of native vegetation in the Hobart local government area (outside of Wellington Park) consists of wet and dry eucalyptus forest and woodland. Of these two groups, the dry eucalyptus communities have been cleared to a greater extent. They are therefore generally more significant from a conservation perspective.

A number of dry eucalyptus forest/woodland communities that occur in Hobart are listed as 'threatened' under the Nature Conservation Act 2002. These are particularly significant.

Further information on threatened native vegetation communities can be found on the Department of Natural Resources and Environment website.

The rates rebate scheme

We offer discounted rates for private properties where areas of native vegetation with significant biodiversity values are formally and voluntarily protected. This is to:

  • acknowledge and reward the efforts of landowners
  • encourage other interested landowners to participate in remnant vegetation.

The annual rates rebate is $6.04 per hectare protected, with a minimum rebate of $60.40 and a maximum rebate of $604. Participating property owners will automatically receive a reduced rates bill each year.

Eligibility

Only property owners who have voluntarily entered into either a Conservation Covenant or Part 5 Agreement that places restrictions on the use of the area so that the ecological values are maintained are eligible for the rebate.

Landowners who have been required to enter into Part 5 Agreements or Conservation Covenants to offset the impacts of a development are not eligible for the rebate. For example, under a planning permit or Forest Practices Plan.

Conservation Covenants

Conservation Covenants are administered through the Tasmanian Government's Protected Areas on Private Land (PAPL) program under the Nature Conservation Act 2002.

The PAPL program is particularly interested in areas that are greater than ten hectares in size and are in good condition. This includes vegetation that:

  • has a diversity of species
  • has limited management issues such as weeds
  • is ideally linked to other areas of native bush.

Conservation Covenants normally only charge a portion of the establishment costs. Landowners may also be eligible for land tax exemptions and will receive free management advice and a free management plan for the 'reserve'.

Find more information about the PAPL program on the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania website.

Applications for Conservation Covenants should be made directly to the PAPL program.

You can apply for the rates rebate once a conservation covenant has been obtained. Contact us and provide your contact details and copies of:

  • the current land title documents for the property
  • the Conservation Covenant registered on the Certificate of Title
  • the correspondence from the PAPL program when the Conservation Covenant was approved.

We will provide you with confirmation of receipt and approval of the rebate application.

Part 5 Agreements

Part 5 Agreements are approved and administered by the City of Hobart under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993. The majority of costs associated with Part 5 Agreements are borne by the landowner, however we will assist you with the drafting of agreements. Costs associated with Part 5 Agreements include legal drafting and registration of the agreement on the property title.

To apply for a Part 5 Agreement, you need to submit an expression of interest for our consideration. This must include:

  • details of landowner(s) names and contact details
  • the Certificate of Title reference
  • details of the size and location of vegetation being considered for protection.

Expressions of interest should also include:

  • as much information as possible about the vegetation proposed for protection, for example:
    • any flora/fauna assessments that have been carried out
    • condition of vegetation
    • known threatened species habitat
    • time since significant fires.
  • any threats to the ecological values of that vegetation, for example:
    • weeds
    • grazing
    • feral animals.

We will consider Part 5 Agreement applications for areas of any size and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. This takes into consideration criteria such as size, shape, condition, vulnerability, habitat value and rarity.

Under most circumstances successful Part 5 Agreement rebate applications will need to meet the following criteria:

  • The area proposed for protection contains vegetation that is classified as being of state, bioregional or local significance or being important threatened species habitat on City of Hobart's geographic information system.
  • The area protected is one hectare or more and is contiguous with other substantial sized areas of vegetation or is not likely to be vulnerable to degradation from surrounding land uses.
  • The vegetation is in good condition and would require little ongoing management to maintain those values.

More information

For more information about the rates rebate scheme or Part 5 Agreements, please contact us.

For more information about Conservation Covenants and the Protected Areas on Private Land (PAPL) program, visit please the PAPL web page.

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