Across the picturesque landscapes of rural NSW, biodiversity conservation opportunities are emerging as a major drawcard to property ownership.
With a desire to protect our environment becoming increasingly common, buyers are turning to properties with conservation agreements on title to meet their environmental goals.
Current listings such as Yilawura, near Gulgong, in the state’s central west showcase the appeal a conservation site brings to the real estate market.
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The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust supports private property owners with a conservation agreement on their land and witnesses first-hand the passion buyers have for conservation.
Manager of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust's Revolving Fund, Chris Perceval, said: “Buying a property with a conservation agreement already in place means the new owners will continue the protection of threatened woodland birds and animals the day they move in.
“New owners of these NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust Revolving Fund properties will be caring for and protecting a diverse range of vulnerable and threatened species and ecological communities.”
Conservation agreements with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust offer property owners the opportunity to contribute to the protection and active conservation of native species on their land.
“By choosing to permanently protect areas of important habitat on their property, landowners commit to maintaining the ecological integrity of the site, ensuring native plants and animals are protected forever.
“We support them to do this and are a constant in their relationship with that site, so when new owners buy a property with an existing agreement, there’s a lot of help available for them to look after the land”, Mr Perceval said.
Apart from the environmental benefits, engaging in a conservation agreement can also have positive financial results for property owners.
Depending on the type of conservation agreement, the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust provides indexed annual management payments to those who commit to conserving biodiversity on their land, offering a source of stable income to fund conservation work on the property.
“Landholders tell us the payments they receive from the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust have helped them reach their environmental goals for their property and have given them financial security to manage those goals through rough years.
“The money from the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust is a win-win - the land is protected and cared for, and landholders get tangible benefits for protecting it instead of paying out of their own pockets to care for nature”, he said.