Conservation Zone Discussion Paper

Outcome

At its June meeting, Council made the following decision relating to the Conservation Zone Discussion Paper:

That Council:

a. NOTES the results of the community engagement regarding the “Conservation Zone” initiative;

b. SUPPORTS the initiative in its current format, taking a more active role in proactively identifying and working with landowners who may be interested in pursuing conservation zoning, following adoption of the new Local Planning Strategy.

You can read the full Council report relating to this item here.

Background

The adopted Corporate Business Plan (CBP) of the Shire includes an action pertaining to the Shire’s Conservation Zone program. The CBP action seeks to “Conduct formal review of the existing Conservation Zone initiative to enable its possible expansion to other natural areas of high significance.” The Shire has prepared a discussion paper which concludes with a series of questions we want your feedback on!

The current Conservation zone initiative aims to assist landowners that have conservation worthy fauna and flora on their private properties, to protect it by rezoning the property to enable conservation of the land. Various incentives are then provided to support landowners who voluntarily seek to have their land included, given the obligations to manage the property according to the conservation values.

This discussion paper detailing the background, benefits and process required to join the initiative is available is available on the right hand side of this page under "documents".