The Member for Monaro John Barilaro announced that the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) is calling for expressions of interest (EOI) from landholders interested in diversifying their incomes by earning annual management payments for conserving native grasslands on their property. Download the autofill EOI form.
See our FAQs and our Guide to the Conservation Tender.
The BCT is looking to invest in good examples of these grassland areas and associated grassy ecosystems through a conservation tender. The tender process is outlined here, and involves the following steps:
- Interested landholders express interest in a site assessment. You can download our autofill EOI form, complete online, save and email to us at info@bct.nsw.gov.au
- EOIs will be prioritised, with the highest-ranking sites offered a site assessment
- At the site assessment, the BCT works with landholders to identify an area (or areas) on the property that could be managed for biodiversity conservation, and to develop a conservation management plan for the area
- Eligible landholders will then be able to submit a confidential bid in a Conservation Tender, setting out the annual payments they would like to receive to carry out the conservation management plan
- Bids will be assessed and ranked by value for money
- Successful landholders will be offered a Conservation Agreement, which can be in-perpetuity or for a minimum 15 years fixed term
- Payments will be made in accordance with the landholder’s bid and will continue for the term of the agreement
Eligibility criteria for the Monaro grasslands
- Our Guide to the Monaro Grasslands Conservation Tender will help you through this process.
- The site proposed for conservation management must be within the Snowy Monaro local government area - see map and fact sheet.
- The site must contain at least 10 hectares of native grasslands in moderate to good condition.
EOIs will open on Monday 20 August 2018 and interested landholders should submit an EOI by 5pm on Friday 7 September 2018. Complete the EOI form or call 1300 992 688.
Expressing interest does not create a binding obligation to participate in the tender
Sites dominated by high threat weed species, such as African lovegrass and serrated tussock or areas that have been ploughed or sown with exotic pasture species are unlikely to be in moderate to good condition.
Through this tender program, eligible landholders are given the opportunity to set their own price to protect and manage good condition native grasslands on their land. Successful applicants will be those that put forward the highest value grasslands for the best price. These applicants will receive annual, ongoing payments for implementing the agreed management plan.
This program provides a unique opportunity for successful landholders to secure an additional revenue stream to manage biodiversity outcomes on their land.
Want to know more?
The contact the BCT on 1300 992 688 or email info@bct.nsw.gov.au
For more information, see Conservation Tenders fact sheet.