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Frequently Asked Questions |
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- How does a covenant protect my land?
- A covenant protects the conservation values of your land beyond your lifetime by registering an agreement between you and the Department of Environment and Conservation ("the Department") on the title of your property. This agreement sets down appropriate management practices, so that future landowners respect the conservation values that you want to protect.
- Does a covenant mean that I lose control over my land?
- No. A covenant is an agreement between you and the Department, and you play an important role in deciding the conditions of the covenant. You continue to own and manage your land. In reality, a covenant allows you to protect your land long after you cease to own it.
- How long does it last?
- Most covenants are designed to last in perpetuity, although a fixed-term covenant can be negotiated in certain circumstances. Remember, to be eligible for a covenant, the land has to have values that will persist over time. Placing a covenant over land that does not have this potential, or changing the land use after a period of time, is a waste of resources and will not achieve conservation at a landscape scale.
- Can a covenant be removed?
- It is possible to release or vary the terms of the covenant where both the landowner and the Department agree. This decision is not taken lightly and both parties would need to provide very good reasons to vary the covenant. Should agreement not be reached, the issue can be resolved on application to a judge or court.
- What does it cost?
- The Department pays for the costs of establishing voluntary Nature Conservation Covenants. These costs usually include staff time to prepare and negotiate the documents, checking the covenant with other agencies, checking the covenant with the Crown Solicitor's Office, and lodgement of
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