The Nature Conservation Trust has been engaged by the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA) to provide biodiversity offsets for the Hume Highway Duplication Project between Table Top and Tarcutta.
Clearing of native vegetation associated with the highway upgrade is being offset by actions which will maintain or improve biodiversity outcomes for the region. This includes the permanent protection of a minimum of 275 hectares of vegetation classified as Box-Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Grasslands, and a further 275 hectares of land that will be rehabilitated to meet this classification, as defined by the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Offset areas are selected through a strategic combination of our Revolving Fund and Conservation Agreement Programs by either purchasing properties which may be for sale, or by working with existing landholders who have expressed interest in protecting certain areas of their property.
After conducting ecological assessments of the values of each proposal/property we then prioritise sites which maximise conservation outcomes. All sites selected for offset are endorsed by the RTA prior to purchase or registration of the Conservation Agreement on the property title.
As part of this program landholders receive a financial incentive in recognition of their commitment to manage the site for conservation. In addition, funds are also allocated for each site to undertake works such as fencing for stock management, revegetation, and control of weeds and pests.
In conjunction with the RTA, the Nature Conservation Trust will measure conservation and rehabilitation outcomes that are achieved on each site via our Monitoring and Support Program.
Note: The expression of interest period for Conservation Agreements under this project expired in December 2008, and, as of June 2009, ecological assessments all of proposals was completed.
