Making the decision to apply a land title covenant to a rural property in NSW gives the threatened plant and animal species that live on the land enduring legal protection.
A conservation covenant for your rural property from the Nature Conservation Trust (NCT) means that you (and any owners that may come after you) will always have a support network to answer any environmental land management questions that may come up in relation to the legal obligations you have as a rural land owner with a land covenant attached to your acreage.
The NCT has an experienced team of conservationists and natural resource managers to help guide you through the process of adopting a conservation land covenant and the business of getting the land title covenant registration completed. The NCT team provides ongoing support for land owners through site visits, ecological surveys and environmental land management advice, and monitors the success of your conservation efforts.
The typical process for obtaining a conservation land covenant involves the following steps:
- The property owner lodges an application for a land covenant with the NCT.
- The NCT assesses the property’s suitability against its conservation criteria.
- If the application is successful, the owner meets with NCT staff to discuss land management options for the conservation area.
- NCT scientific staff then conduct biodiversity surveys of the property and establish ecological and wildlife monitoring points.
- The NCT prepares a draft land title covenant (conservation agreement) and draft plan of management for the property. The land owner discusses the terms and can propose changes to the documents. At this stage, it is recommended that the land owner also seek independent legal advice.
- A surveyor surveys the conservation area and prepares a survey diagram.
- The conservation land covenant agreement and plan of management are signed by both parties.
- The conservation agreement is lodged with the Department of Lands and registered on the certificate of land title for the property.
- The land owner is included in the NCT environmental stewardship program.
- The NCT makes periodic site visits to monitor the property’s ecology and conservation management.
- The plan of management for the conservation property is reviewed within five years.
To talk to a NCT staff member about establishing a conservation land covenant, please call us on (02) 6365 7543 or email using our online form.
Advice regarding land covenants
If you require more information or advice about conservation land covenants, the NCT can help. For an obligation-free discussion about how to establish a Nature Conservation Trust (NCT) conservation covenant, call 02 6365 7543 to speak to one of our staff.
Information about private conservation land grants
Some land holders may be eligible for funding to help cover the cost of applying for a conservation covenant to their land.
