As part of our efforts to encourage the protection and enhance the environment, we’ve introduced a new rates remission to promote the creation of native forests and wetlands on pastural land retired from production.
We will reduce general rates (land value portion) on the part of the site that meets the criteria for the remissions.
For example:
- A farmer has decided to retire some of their pastureland and develop native wetlands. They contact Council to obtain guidance and support.
- Council’s land management staff provide technical advice and explain what would need to be done on that piece of land. This would include developing the wetland, protecting it, and providing ongoing management with a Council-approved management plan. It would need to be large enough to provide meaningful environmental benefit.
- Land management staff will inform the rates team once the protected area has been developed into native wetlands and the necessary arrangements are in place.
- The rates team will engage a valuer to assess the value of the reserved area, which will be used to determine the proportion of rates that can be remitted.
For more information contact your local land management officer to discuss your potential eligibility for this rates remission.