Frequently asked questions about our Conservation Partner and Wildlife Refuge agreements

No. Submitting an expression of interest is just a way to explore if you're eligible for a conservation agreement and if it is right for you.

The agreement only becomes binding once both parties sign it. You can withdraw at any time before this happens.

Yes. If your expression of interest is accepted our local staff will help you prepare the agreement.

You can access agreement templates to guide you.

You’ll have the chance to ask questions and give feedback on draft documents and we’ll help you prepare the information needed to meet the requirements for registering the agreement on your land title.
 

We recommend that you actively manage the conservation area you establish under the agreement but it is not a legal requirement. This can include:

• fencing
• pest and weed control
• revegetation
• restoring habitat.

You also need to be comfortable with a long-term commitment. Our Conservation Partner agreements are in-perpetuity, which means they stay in place permanently, and are binding on all future owners.

No. Not all sites are eligible or prioritised.

We assess each site based on its conservation value. Only sites that meet our criteria and are considered a priority will be offered an agreement.

If your site isn’t suitable for an agreement, our local staff will guide you to other options.

These may include:

• joining your local Landcare group
• exploring the Land for Wildlife program
• applying to Humane Society International’s wildlife sanctuary network.

We’ll also suggest conservation actions that could help you become eligible in the future.

You can apply for and may be eligible for a Conservation Partners Grant to improve your site's ecological value.

Agreement-holders eligible for a grant can apply for grants by submitting an expression of interest at nsw.gov.au.

Before submitting a grant, we recommend discussing grant timelines with one of our staff.

When you enter a conservation agreement, you become part of a wider network of landholders, educators, contractors and NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust staff.

Our expert regional staff work closely with landholders and communities to support conservation efforts.

You can also learn more about conservation management in our resource library.

If you have a permanent (in-perpetuity) conservation agreement, you don’t have to pay local council rates for the part of your property covered by the conservation area, once a Conservation Partners agreement is registered on title we will write to the relevant Council and advise them of that.

Yes. Conservation Partner agreements don't exempt you from Local Land Services (LLS) rates.

However, you may be able to reduce some components of LLS rates relating to livestock by completing your Annual LLS Stock Return.

You should contact your local LLS.

A Conservation Partner agreement remains in place even if the property is sold and is legally binding on all future owners.

Wildlife Refuge agreements, remains in place if the property is sold but can be revoked by the landholder.

No. A conservation agreement is a voluntary, long-term commitment to protect the natural values of your land. You decide which part of your property to put under an agreement. Our staff will help you think about what areas to include and exclude from the agreement area.

Some activities, like clearing native vegetation, aren't allowed under the agreement.

Many activities are compatible with conservation, including passive recreation and some commercial uses. You can still enjoy and use your land while protecting its natural features.

We take your privacy seriously. Our privacy statement explains how we collect, use and protect your personal information.

Managing your information properly is a key part of how we work. We understand how important it is to keep your details safe.

Yes. If you enter a conservation agreement, some details will be listed on a public register as required by law. These include:

• the type of agreement
• your agreement’s unique ID
• the size and duration of the agreement
• the date it was registered on your land title
• the NSW BCT region and Local Government Area (LGA)
• which Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) region the agreement is in.