Vegetation management offsets
Vegetation management offsets in Queensland are administered under the Policy for Vegetation Management Offsets (PDF, 303K)*. It is a statutory policy that forms part of the broader vegetation management framework designed to regulate the clearing of native vegetation throughout the state.
The Policy for Vegetation Management Offsets is a specific issue offsets policy under the Queensland Government Environmental Offsets Policy (PDF, 776K)*, which commenced on 1 July 2008.
There are a number of other offset policies under the QGEOP which can be accessed via the environmental offsets section.
- How is an offset triggered?
- How can an offset be provided?
- What is a legally binding mechanism?
- How is an offset managed?
- When does an offset finish?
- Lodging an application
- Further information
How is an offset triggered?
Under the vegetation management framework, an offset may be provided as a means of meeting one or more performance requirements listed in four Regional Vegetation Management Codes and two Concurrence Agency (MCU (PDF, 191K)* and RaL (PDF, 186K)*) Policies used to assess impacts on remnant vegetation by development.
Values for which an offset may be provided are:
- remnant endangered, of concern and/or threshold regional ecosystems
- essential habitat
- connectivity
- wetlands and watercourses.
Applicants must demonstrate how impacts on remnant vegetation have been avoided and minimised prior to offsetting.
How can an offset be provided?
There are three options for the delivery of vegetation management offsets, which involve the provision of land based offsets. These are:
- direct offsets:
- an offset is provided at the time of the approval of the development application
- must be legally secured (using a legally binding mechanism) within four months of the development approval
- the offset area must be supported by an offset area management plan
- offset transfer:
- an offset is legally secured (using a legally binding mechanism) within 12 months of the development approval
- the offset area must be supported by an offset area management plan.
- offset payment:
- a payment made by an applicant to an approved environmental trust
- the approved environmental trust locates a land-based offset that meets the requirements of the offsets policy
- an offset area must be legally secured (using a legally binding mechanism) within 12 months of the development approval
- the offset area must be supported by an offset area management plan
- the offset area must be located within a ‘strategic biodiversity corridor’ identified by the Queensland government.
What is a legally binding mechanism?
A legally binding mechanism is a statutory instrument that is used to achieve a particular purpose under the law. It is executed through the signing of a legally binding agreement or contract between the parties involved in the relevant transaction or project.
There are three legally binding mechanisms available to secure offsets under the Vegetation Management Offsets Policy, which are via:
- protected area estate under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (PDF)*, such as a Nature Refuge
- Voluntary Declaration (PDF, 4.3M)* under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 (PDF)*
- Covenant under the Land Act 1994 (PDF)* or Land Title Act 1994 (PDF)*.
How is an offset managed?
An offset is managed by way of a management plan that must be in place at the time an offset is legally secured. The purpose of a management plan is to ensure an offset area is administered in a way that will maximise the chance of the offset meeting the purpose of the relevant offset policy.
Examples of elements that must be included in an offset management plan are:
- management objectives and outcomes
- activities that will be undertaken to achieve these
- a comprehensive monitoring and reporting program
- an estimated timeframe for when the objectives and outcomes will be achieved
- an appraisal of estimated costs and expenses for the expected life of the offset.
An offset area management plan template incorporating these elements will be available soon.
When does an offset finish?
An offset and legally binding mechanism remains in effect until the landowner provides evidence which demonstrates that the offset requirements, the legally binding mechanism and the management objectives and actions identified in the offset area management plan have been met.
Lodging an application
All development and offset applications, including those relating to community infrastructure projects, must be lodged via the department’s Permit and Licence Management Unit.
It is recommended that all applicants, who believe they need to provide an offset, arrange a pre-designed/pre-lodgement meeting prior to submitting an application.
Pre-designed/pre-lodgement meeting application form (Word, file unavailable)‡
Further information
For further information on vegetation management offsets, please refer to the offsets resources web page, which contains a series of factsheets, guidelines and templates to assist applicants and landholders to meet their offset requirements.
For a list of the mapping data available to assist in an offset assessment, please refer to the offsets mapping page.
For enquiries relating to vegetation management offsets, contact your nearest DERM business centre or alternately you can email the offsets team offsets@derm.qld.gov.au.
For a full list approved, legally secured offsets, including biodiversity related offsets, please refer to the DERM legally secured offsets register.
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‡ Requires Microsoft Office files viewer
Last updated 30 September 2011